Analysis
Many countries announced the launch of polio vaccination campaigns over the next few weeks, including Djibouti, Nigeria, Iran, and Indonesia. Some social media users claimed that politicians use polio campaigns to get positive media attention. Other posts spread conspiracy theories about polio and polio vaccines. Many commenters suggested that polio vaccines are not effective and are “crimes against children” that cause bad behavior and autism.
Recommendations
Conspiracy theories and misleading claims during polio campaigns may cause some parents to refuse vaccines. Messaging may explain that polio vaccines protect against all forms of polio and that polio is only a risk to unvaccinated children. Billions of children worldwide—and several generations—have received polio vaccines. Emphasizing key talking points is recommended: Polio vaccines are safe, tested, and the only way to protect children from polio.