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

Accusations of cover-ups erode trust in health institutions

Geography
Pakistan
Nigeria
Afghanistan
Themes
Conspiracy theories

Analysis

Accusations that WHO, UNICEF, and governments are hiding data or fabricating records circulated mainly on X and online forums. Posts such as 'WHO hiding vaccine failures' and 'UNICEF data is fabricated' did not always go viral, but they served as amplifiers of other narratives like vaccine failure or falsified records. The bursts of up to 17 posts in 48 hours often coincided with negative news stories, showing how mistrust narratives are opportunistically layered onto ongoing conversations.

Recommendations

Radical transparency is essential: publish simple 'what we know/what we are doing' updates whenever incidents occur. Highlight independent oversight and third-party validation to counter perceptions of cover-up. In Pakistan and Nigeria, mobilize local journalists and community validators to carry trust messages. Messaging should not only deny cover-ups but actively demonstrate accountability and openness.