Search

On December 13, the New York Times reported that a lawyer associated with the nominee for U.S. health secretary petitioned the Food and Drug Administration in 2022 to revoke its approval of the inactivated polio vaccine. The lawyer reportedly assisted the nominee, who is a prominent anti-vaccine figure in the U.S., in screening candidates for roles in the Department of Health and Human Services. The story trended in the U.S. and worldwide, with many people criticizing efforts to weaken confidence in a trusted vaccine. Several U.S. politicians who previously expressed anti-vaccine sentiments attempted to distance themselves from criticism of the polio vaccine. However, some social media users defended the nominee, falsely claiming that the polio vaccine was not safe and wasn’t properly tested.

On December 13, the New York Times reported that a lawyer associated with the nominee for U.S. health secretary petitioned the Food and Drug Administration in 2022 to revoke its approval of the inactivated polio vaccine. The lawyer reportedly assisted the nominee, who is a prominent anti-vaccine figure in the U.S., in screening candidates for roles in the Department of Health and Human Services. The story trended in the U.S. and worldwide, with many people criticizing efforts to weaken confidence in a trusted vaccine. Several U.S. politicians who previously expressed anti-vaccine sentiments attempted to distance themselves from criticism of the polio vaccine. However, some social media users defended the nominee, falsely claiming that the polio vaccine was not safe and wasn’t properly tested.

A popular U.S.-based social media account promoted the debunked conspiracy theory that a polio vaccine created by Bill Gates left 496,000 children in India paralyzed. The post has received over 16,000 engagements and was shared by social media users in many countries.

A video that is trending across multiple social media platforms claims to show a young child who was severely injured by a polio vaccine. The most popular post received over 70,000 engagements, including nearly 5,000 responses. Many comments argued that vaccines are unnecessary because God gave humans “perfect” bodies that can create vaccines. Other posts expressed concern about vaccine safety, claimed that children receive too many vaccines, and boasted about their unvaccinated status.

A social media post with nearly 2,000 engagements claims watermelon seeds can cure polio and many other diseases. Several responses suggest that seedless watermelon is promoted to keep people unhealthy.

Social media users in Kenya are discussing reports that international aid cuts and their government’s failure to fulfill  its co-financing agreement with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization may lead to vaccine shortages and a “vaccination crisis.” Some posts criticized the government’s “reckless failure” and alleged mismanagement of funds, while others argue that vaccines are unnecessary or dangerous “bioengineered stuff.” Multiple posts claimed that the vaccine shortage is “good” and promoted the conspiracy theory that Bill Gates uses free vaccines to influence the country.

In a recent social media post, a parent describes his experience refusing polio drops for his child. He claims the polio worker returned to his house with police officers who pressured him to vaccinate his child. The post questions why polio workers force parents to vaccinate and accuses the government of ignoring other public health issues. Responses to the post label the incident “state terrorism,” with some calling for a social media protest. Several comments suggested that forced polio vaccinations are part of a global conspiracy to harm Pakistani children.