Some social media users responded negatively to an upcoming national polio campaign in Afghanistan. Posts claimed that polio vaccines are “forbidden,” cause other diseases, and are “poison to Muslims.” Several posts stated that polio vaccines are for “infidels.”
In a recent statement, Pakistan’s federal minister of health said it is criminal for parents to refuse polio drops for their children. The comment received harsh criticism, with some calling the minister a criminal and accusing the government of looting polio funds. Some commenters called polio vaccines poison and questioned why other issues like child hunger aren’t being addressed. Several posts claimed that the polio vaccine is designed to “massacre” Muslims, while others promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories about Jonas Salk, the Jewish inventor of the first polio vaccine.
A local news outlet shamed Punjab community health workers who are boycotting polio vaccination campaigns because the government is outsourcing hospitals. The video states that boycotting polio campaigns is the wrong choice. Many commenters supported the boycott, calling it the “right decision.” Other posts called the government corrupt and accused newscasters of accepting money to promote the polio campaign.
Several social media posts about polio campaigns in the Democratic Republic of the Congo received negative comments about polio vaccines. Some posts called polio vaccines “poison.” Other commenters say that the vaccines are not needed because children survive without them and the disease is “almost nonexistent.”
Online users expressed frustration that university entrance exams in North Waziristan are postponed due to “security concerns.” Some social media users questioned why polio vaccine campaigns are still scheduled despite the concerns. One post claims that polio drops are given at gunpoint. Another post says that polio campaigns will always continue because they make money for the government.
Conspiracy theories about polio eradication efforts circulated online following reports of the detection of additional polio cases in Pakistan in 2024. Several social media users accused the government of lying about polio and refusing to eliminate polio in order to continue receiving international funding, while others questioned why polio eradication is a priority when other diseases kill more people. Some posts disparaged polio vaccines, blamed Afghan refugees and ethnic minorities for polio spread, and claimed polio is a conspiracy against Pakistanis.