Analysis
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.”
Recommendations
The source of the misleading claims is a high-ranking health official, which increases their risk. Health communicators may wish to inform the public about how local health ministries partner with international aid organizations like Gavi and highlight the impact of global vaccination efforts. Messaging may explain that vaccination prevents all forms of polio and is the only way to protect children from the disease. Emphasizing that polio vaccines are safety tested multiple times before they are given to children is recommended, as is explaining that children are at great risk of death and disability from polio, not from vaccination.