Polio Pulse

Polio Pulse provides social listening insights to support GPEI’s polio interventions on disinformation, crisis communication, and strategic communication. Data is monitored from polio-endemic and outbreak countries and geographies classified by GPEI, covering 12 major languages spoken in these regions. The platform is managed by the UNICEF Digital Community Engagement (DCE) team.

Medium Risk

Influencer post falsely claims that polio was not a threat before vaccines

Geography
Kenya
Nigeria
Themes
Necessity
Religion
Safety and side effects

Analysis

An influencer with a large Nigerian following falsely claimed that “polio became viral thanks to the vaccines.” The post suggests that vaccines are unnecessary because God created humans “without defect.” Responses to the post claim that polio never existed or was created in a lab to promote vaccines. Another popular post from a Kenyan astrologist calls polio vaccines “poison” and “bioweapons.”

Recommendations

Some people continue to claim that polio vaccines are unnecessary or unsafe. Consider partnering with trusted communicators, including religious and community leaders, to explain the danger that polio poses to unvaccinated children and the importance of vaccination to protect children and their families from the debilitating disease. Messaging may emphasize that vaccination is the only way to prevent polio and that all major religions support the use of the polio vaccine.