FROM GLOBAL STRATEGY TO LOCAL ACTION
Welcome to the May issue of the Digital Community Engagement (DCE) Monthly Newsletter—our shared space to explore how digital tools and strategies are shaping the future of polio eradication and public health.
In this edition, we highlight the largest ever synchronized digital campaign across the Lake Chad Basin and Pakistan, the co-design process of Afghanistan's national DCE strategy, and real-time engagement through emotional storytelling. Whether it’s social listening or community-driven content creation, we hope something here sparks new ideas for your work.
As always, we welcome your ideas and feedback to help us strengthen the value of this platform—issue by issue.
Adnan Shahzad
Digital Community Engagement Manager,
UNICEF NY HQ
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HIGHLIGHTS: WHAT’S DRIVING IMPACT
Lake Chad Basin & Pakistan
A coordinated digital campaign rolled out across Nigeria, Cameroon, CAR, Chad, Niger, and Pakistan, reaching over 15 million parents, caregivers, and young people with evidence-based misinformation response messages, vaccination campaign reminders, and localized content in multiple languages.
Afghanistan
In May, a two-day DCE co-creation workshop in Kabul marked a critical step toward finalizing the national strategy. The event brought together the ACO Polio team, NEOC, regional EOCs, and HQ to localize the global framework. Thanks to strong engagement from NEOC managers, the team co-developed a context-specific strategy focused on engaging fathers, amplifying youth voices, and leveraging WhatsApp for real-time outreach. NEOC’s Communications Working Group will lead follow-up, with monthly check-ins planned.
Pakistan
In April, the “Shielding Every Last Child” campaign supported NIDs with localized content across TikTok, Meta, and YouTube. Targeted messaging engaged youth, fathers, and religious leaders—building trust, amplifying local voices, and countering misinformation in high-risk areas.
RESULTS: LAKE CHAD & PAKISTAN DCE CAMPAIGNS
A coordinated digital campaign across six countries supported synchronized NIDs in Lake Chad and Pakistan—engaging communities, building trust, and tackling misinformation. Learn more about this unprecedented digital effort for polio eradication
VOICES FROM THE FIELD
Diana Maria Pirga, DCE Specialist with the UNICEF Pakistan Team, works closely with local partners to craft content that speaks the language – literally and culturally – of communities most at risk and that responds to their concerns and worries regarding their children's health. By centering local voices and formats, her team helps ensure messages are heard, felt, and shared.
“Local language content travels further. People understand it faster, share it more, and trust it more deeply.”
POLIO PULSE INSIGHTS: TRENDING NARRATIVES
This month’s top narratives highlight how fast misinformation travels—and how deeply it can influence vaccine decisions. From viral denial content to geopolitical rumors, we’re tracking the conversations shaping public trust in polio vaccines. Explore the summaries below, and visit Polio Pulse for real-time insights to support your decisions, messaging, and field response.
🧠 Conspiracy Theories
A Palestinian doctor falsely claims that oral polio vaccines pose a high risk to Gaza’s malnourished population, suggesting they are outdated and unsafe. The post misrepresents facts about nOPV2 and gained support online, threatening trust during active vaccination efforts. Read more
A viral post accusing Bill Gates of using polio vaccines to sterilize African populations is spreading again across Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, and France. With over 2,000 engagements, it reinforces long-standing conspiracy narratives linked to population control. Read more
🎥 Viral Content
An influencer with over 33,000 followers falsely claims that polio only emerged after vaccines were introduced. While not part of current campaign regions, the post reflects growing crossover between global conspiracy themes and polio misinformation. Read more
📣 Distrust & Doubts
Despite overall campaign support, some users continue to label polio vaccines as un-Islamic, harmful, or administered by force—particularly in security-compromised or conservative areas. Read more
During Nigeria’s April–May campaign, social media posts highlighted parental refusal of polio drops. Some accused the vaccine of being haram, ineffective, or even a bioweapon—narratives that challenge community engagement efforts. Read more
As vaccine access remains limited, some users claim Gaza doesn't need polio vaccines, calling them “poison” and citing a fabricated medical source. These narratives threaten to undermine public confidence. Read more
Stay ahead of the curve
Polio Pulse gives you real-time access to the latest rumors, risks, and narratives shaping polio vaccine acceptance. Use it to monitor trends, inform your strategy, and respond faster—wherever you work.
RESOURCES: YOUR DCE ESSENTIALS
Microsoft Copilot: Already in Your Tools
UNICEF staff have access to Microsoft Copilot—but few are using it. This quick guide shows how to tap into AI to draft, summarize, and work smarter every day. See the guide
AI for Children: UNICEF’s Policy Guidance
A practical framework for building AI systems that respect and protect child rights. Version 2.0 includes updated recommendations for developers, policymakers, and child-focused organizations. Read the policy guidance
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) – IBM via Coursera
Curious about AI but not sure where to start? This beginner-friendly course walks you through the basics—like machine learning and generative AI—with real examples and simple explanations. It's a great way to build confidence and understand how AI is shaping the world around us. Access the course
UNICEF Vaccine Misinformation Field Guide
Did you know the World Economic Forum ranks misinformation as the #1 risk to global development? This guide, developed by UNICEF in 2020, is still one of the most practical and accessible tools for setting up a misinformation management system in the field. Don’t forget to share it with your local partners—misinformation management is a collective effort. Access the guide in English and French
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Missed our first issue?
Catch up on April’s launch edition featuring DCE tools, strategy highlights, and how digital engagement is transforming vaccine trust.