Analysis
In a video with over 20,000 views, a man claims that his child died after taking polio drops. The man is holding an apparently deceased child in the video. Many responses to the video expressed condolences. However, others argued that the polio vaccine is safe and the death was not caused by the vaccine because none of the children who received doses from the same vial were harmed.
Recommendations
The video’s distressing content increases its risk. Health communicators should respond to parents’ concerns about the safety of polio vaccines with empathy and understanding. Messaging may emphasize that polio vaccines have been proven safe for decades and that vaccination protects children, their families, and their communities.