Analysis
On June 3, Bill Gates was honored by the Nigerian government for his charitable work in the country, including his foundation’s efforts to eradicate polio. Although many responses to the news were positive, some commenters argued that vaccines funded by the Gates Foundation are dangerous. Several posts repeated the conspiracy theory that vaccines are part of a depopulation plot, while others claim that polio didn’t exist until vaccines were introduced.
Recommendations
Myths and conspiracy theories about the Gates Foundation’s role in fighting polio have spread online for years, but there is no evidence that the organization’s work has bad intentions or is part of an effort to harm people. Health communicators may continue to inform the public about how local health ministries work with international aid organizations to improve global health. Messaging should acknowledge the public’s concern about the history of unethical medical practices in Africa and explain the safeguards that are in place to prevent such abuses from happening again. Continuing to emphasize that the polio vaccine is extremely safe and rigorously tested is recommended. Health messengers may also explain that polio was discovered centuries before any vaccines were available and that vaccines are the only way to prevent polio.