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Some social media users doubted the importance of polio vaccines following news that Yemen will launch a national polio vaccination drive on July 12. Some posts claim that polio vaccines are “poison” that will “bring a new virus,” while another argues that vaccines wouldn’t be free if they were good. Several commenters also suggest that the government should focus on fighting hunger instead of polio.

Health officials in Pakistan reportedly plan to launch a special IPV campaign targeting children up to age 15 in Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar. A social media user who identifies himself as a doctor responded to the decision by claiming that Pakistani children receive polio vaccines from the same people who give Israel weapons “to rain down on Gaza’s innocent children.” The post also suggests that Pakistan should test polio vaccines to “verify” their ingredients. Several responses to the post argue that no lab would be allowed to test polio vaccines. Some posts claim that vaccines are “poison” that cause autism and ADHD, while others suggest that polio campaigns are sinister, stating that “something black is in the dal (lentils).” One user claimed to be a doctor who is “against” vaccines.

On July 1, Pakistan confirmed a polio case in North Waziristan, bringing the total to 14 this year. As health officials urged parents to ensure that all children receive polio drops, a trending video and social media post declared that “the polio vaccine is a curse.” The post received dozens of responses claiming that polio vaccines are “not right” and “dangerous.” In the comments, parents boasted about refusing polio vaccines and other vaccines for their children. Other commenters promoted homeopathic (unproven and alternative) medicine over allopathic (conventional and evidence-based) medicine. 

On June 26, a popular Nigerian influencer partnered with Bayelsa state health officials to promote polio vaccination before the launch of the June 27 campaign. Meanwhile, a television and radio presenter participated in a walk to raise awareness about polio vaccines and promoted the vaccination campaign on his show. Many social media users thanked the men for using their fame to raise awareness, but some warned them to “be careful what you push for our children.” Several posts claim that polio vaccines are dangerous and suggest fake “natural” health alternatives to vaccination, while others argue that eradicating hunger is more important than fighting polio.

As Pakistan reports its 13th polio case this year, some online continue to spread myths about polio vaccines. Some social media users called the reports a “lie,” claiming that polio exists in the country so politicians can “earn dollars.” Others suggested that polio vaccines are “poison” that harm children and that health officials are “playing with the lives of small children.”

The DRC launched a five-day polio vaccination campaign on June 26. Responses to the campaign repeated several common conspiracies and myths about polio and polio vaccines. Several posts promoted the false claim that polio is caused by the pesticide DDT, while others called polio vaccines “poison.” 

On June 25, the U.S. health secretary announced that the country would end its funding of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, alleging that the organization had “ignored the science” regarding global immunization. He offered no evidence to support the claim. The news received international attention, with many social media users highlighting the official’s anti-vaccine background and lack of expertise and relevant experience related to vaccines and global health. Critics dismissed the accusation as “entirely false,” noting that, unlike the official’s claims, global immunization efforts are evidence-based and supported by decades of independent research. Some social media users argued that “children will die preventable deaths” as a result of the funding cuts, calling them “utterly evil.” But others defended the decision, alleging that vaccines are “harmful,” “toxic,” and “evil.”

Ethiopia reported four polio cases last week, bringing the country’s total for the year to 33. In response, a social media user accused polio workers of dumping polio vaccines in open fields and falsely reporting a successful vaccination campaign. Meanwhile, a conservative organization that has promoted anti-vaccine myths and the conspiracy theory that HIV does not cause AIDS, shared a news article about polio cases in Ethiopia and Benin. The post emphasized that the cases were vaccine-derived, with no additional context or explanation of how cVDPV spreads.