Confusion grows as OPV and IPV changes fuel questions of safety

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.

Analysis

Questions about 'why vaccines keep changing' spread in South Asian parent groups, particularly in Pakistan and India, and appeared in blog articles in the Philippines. On X, a widely shared post asked, 'OPV yesterday, IPV today — is it really safe?' Such comments fueled perceptions of inconsistency, despite only 14 posts being recorded. The reach, however, was significant: over 6 million, concentrated among parent forums and news blogs. The narrative is not massive in volume but is highly influential, preying on confusion and amplifying doubts during program transitions.

Recommendations

Develop side-by-side visual explainers clarifying what OPV and IPV each do, and why program shifts occur. In Pakistan and India, use pediatricians and MOH spokespeople to address parent concerns directly in Q&A formats. In the Philippines, local media partnerships can clarify the rationale behind vaccine switches. Messages should focus on consistency and safety, stressing that changes are improvements, not evidence of risk.