Analysis
A trending social media post accuses Bill Gates of using polio vaccination and other global health programs to “slow population growth” in Africa through sterilization. The post received over 2,000 engagements, including dozens of responses claiming that vaccines are deadly and meant to sterilize women throughout the continent.
Recommendations
Concerns about global health organizations and foreign aid are common. Communicators may wish to ease these fears by explaining that although local health ministries receive funding from international aid organizations, they run vaccination programs without “Western” interference. Messaging may emphasize that billions of children worldwide—and multiple generations—have safely received polio vaccines.