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Global news outlets and social media users debated the role of international aid following reports that the U.S. plans to terminate funding for GAVI. News articles warned that the cuts will threaten millions of lives and lead to preventable disease outbreaks. Several social media users proposed herbal remedies and “natural immunity” as an alternative to vaccines, while others alleged that vaccines harm children and target black people for depopulation.

A recent social media post announced a polio vaccine campaign for children up to 14 years old in Tshopo, Democratic Republic of the Congo. In response, some commenters asked why older children needed polio vaccines. One post claimed polio vaccines kill children, and another called polio vaccination “a hoax.”

Online posts asked Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan to give their children polio drops. One comment called polio drops “evil” and warned Muslim parents to protect their children. Some posts called polio drops “useless” and a “disease.” Others said that other diseases are more important than polio.