scholarly journals Social media and vaccine hesitancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. e004206
Author(s):  
Steven Lloyd Wilson ◽  
Charles Wiysonge
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Annual Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Digital Society ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Society Project

BackgroundUnderstanding the threat posed by anti-vaccination efforts on social media is critically important with the forth coming need for world wide COVID-19 vaccination programs. We globally evaluate the effect of social media and online foreign disinformation campaigns on vaccination rates and attitudes towards vaccine safety.MethodsWeuse a large-n cross-country regression framework to evaluate the effect ofsocial media on vaccine hesitancy globally. To do so, we operationalize social media usage in two dimensions: the use of it by the public to organize action(using Digital Society Project indicators), and the level of negative lyoriented discourse about vaccines on social media (using a data set of all geocoded tweets in the world from 2018-2019). In addition, we measure the level of foreign-sourced coordinated disinformation operations on social media ineach country (using Digital Society Project indicators). The outcome of vaccine hesitancy is measured in two ways. First, we use polls of what proportion ofthe public per country feels vaccines are unsafe (using Wellcome Global Monitor indicators for 137 countries). Second, we use annual data of actual vaccination rates from the WHO for 166 countries.ResultsWe found the use of social media to organise offline action to be highly predictive of the belief that vaccinations are unsafe, with such beliefs mounting as more organisation occurs on social media. In addition, the prevalence of foreign disinformation is highly statistically and substantively significant in predicting a drop in mean vaccination coverage over time. A 1-point shift upwards in the 5-point disinformation scale is associated with a 2-percentage point drop in mean vaccination coverage year over year. We also found support for the connection of foreign disinformation with negative social media activity about vaccination. The substantive effect of foreign disinformation is to increase the number of negative vaccine tweets by 15% for the median country.ConclusionThere is a significant relationship between organisation on social media and public doubts of vaccine safety. In addition, there is a substantial relationship between foreign disinformation campaigns and declining vaccination coverage.

scholarly journals Social Media Sharing of Articles About Measles in a European Context: Text Analysis Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Wawrzuta ◽  
Mariusz Jaworski ◽  
Joanna Gotlib ◽  
Mariusz Panczyk
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Latent Dirichlet Allocation ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Nature Of Information ◽  
Social Media Platforms

BACKGROUND Despite the existence of an effective vaccine, measles still threatens the health and lives of many Europeans. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, measles vaccine uptake declined; as a result, after the pandemic, European countries will have to increase vaccination rates to restore the extent of vaccination coverage among the population. Because information obtained from social media are one of the main causes of vaccine hesitancy, knowledge of the nature of information pertaining to measles that is shared on social media may help create educational campaigns. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aim to define the characteristics of European news about measles shared on social media platforms (ie, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest) from 2017 to 2019. METHODS We downloaded and translated (into English) 10,305 articles on measles published in European Union countries. Using latent Dirichlet allocation, we identified main topics and estimated the sentiments expressed in these articles. Furthermore, we used linear regression to determine factors related to the number of times a given article was shared on social media. RESULTS We found that, in most European social media posts, measles is only discussed in the context of local European events. Articles containing educational information and describing world outbreaks appeared less frequently. The most common emotions identified from the study’s news data set were fear and trust. Yet, it was found that readers were more likely to share information on educational topics and the situation in Germany, Ukraine, Italy, and Samoa. A high amount of anger, joy, and sadness expressed within the text was also associated with a higher number of shares. CONCLUSIONS We identified which features of news articles were related to increased social media shares. We found that social media users prefer sharing educational news to sharing informational news. Appropriate emotional content can also increase the willingness of social media users to share an article. Effective media content that promotes measles vaccinations should contain educational or scientific information, as well as specific emotions (such as anger, joy, or sadness). Articles with this type of content may offer the best chance of disseminating vital messages to a broad social media audience.

scholarly journals Faster than warp speed: early attention to COVD-19 by anti-vaccine groups on Facebook

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth C Kalichman ◽  
Lisa A Eaton ◽  
Valerie A Earnshaw ◽  
Natalie Brousseau
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
The Us ◽  
Us Government ◽  
Vaccine Information

Abstract Background The unprecedented rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has faced SARS-CoV- (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy, which is partially fueled by the misinformation and conspiracy theories propagated by anti-vaccine groups on social media. Research is needed to better understand the early COVID-19 anti-vaccine activities on social media. Methods This study chronicles the social media posts concerning COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines by leading anti-vaccine groups (Dr Tenpenny on Vaccines, the National Vaccine Information Center [NVIC] the Vaccination Information Network [VINE]) and Vaccine Machine in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic (February–May 2020). Results Analysis of 2060 Facebook posts showed that anti-vaccine groups were discussing COVID-19 in the first week of February 2020 and were specifically discussing COVID-19 vaccines by mid-February 2020. COVID-19 posts by NVIC were more widely disseminated and showed greater influence than non-COVID-19 posts. Early COVID-19 posts concerned mistrust of vaccine safety and conspiracy theories. Conclusion Major anti-vaccine groups were sowing seeds of doubt on Facebook weeks before the US government launched its vaccine development program ‘Operation Warp Speed’. Early anti-vaccine misinformation campaigns outpaced public health messaging and hampered the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.

scholarly journals Antecedents of Vaccine Hesitancy in WEIRD and East Asian Contexts

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel S. Courtney ◽  
Ana-Maria Bliuc
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Mmr Vaccine ◽  
Specific Context ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Effective Science

Following decreasing vaccination rates over the last two decades, understanding the roots of vaccine hesitancy has become a public health priority. Vaccine hesitancy is linked to scientifically unfounded fears around the MMR vaccine and autism which are often fuelled by misinformation spread on social media. To counteract the effects of misinformation about vaccines and in particular the falling vaccination rates, much research has focused on identifying the antecedents of vaccine hesitancy. As antecedents of vaccine hesitancy are contextually dependent, a one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to be successful in non-WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, and Democratic) populations, and even in certain (non-typical) WEIRD sub-populations. Successful interventions to reduce vaccine hesitancy must be based on understanding of the specific context. To identify potential contextual differences in the antecedents of vaccine hesitancy, we review research from three non-WEIRD populations in East Asia, and three WEIRD sub-populations. We find that regardless of the context, mistrust seems to be the key factor leading to vaccine hesitancy. However, the object of mistrust varies across WEIRD and non-WEIRD populations, and across WEIRD subgroups suggesting that effective science communication must be mindful of these differences.

Compulsory vaccinations for children: Balancing the competing human rights at stake

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-267
Author(s):  
Francesca Camilleri
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Childhood Diseases ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Competing Interests ◽  
European Court ◽  
Controversial Topic ◽  
Vaccine Confidence

Vaccination for children has been a controversial topic for decades and lately it has regained particular importance. We have seen an increase in vaccine hesitancy and decrease in vaccine confidence throughout Europe, particularly due to vaccine-safety concerns by parents. Consequently, vaccination rates for children have dropped and this in turn has led to an increased spread of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases, such as measles. As a reaction to this phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy, several European countries have introduced, while others are in the process of introducing, laws making vaccinations compulsory for children for a number of vaccine-preventable childhood diseases. The introduction of such laws affects and gives rise to several competing interests of the parents, the child and the State. Against this background, this article seeks to determine how the European Court of Human Rights should balance the competing human rights that are at stake in cases concerning compulsory vaccinations for children.

scholarly journals Perceived vaccine safety over time in a vaccine hesitant sample: Impact of pausing due to safety concerns

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Rodebaugh ◽  
Madelyn Frumkin ◽  
Rachel Garg ◽  
Laura LaGesse ◽  
Amy McQueen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Data ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Current Effort ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Intensive Longitudinal Data ◽  
Perceptions Of Safety ◽  
Vaccine Availability ◽  
Over Time

In the current effort to vaccinate as many people as possible against COVID-19, it has been suggested that events such as the pause in the use of the Janssen vaccine would have a large effect on perceptions of vaccine safety. Further, as vaccination rates slow, there is concern that hesitancy may be stable and difficult to change among those still unvaccinated. We examined both of these issues in our ongoing study of low-income participants. We modeled the intensive longitudinal data provided by 53 individuals. We found the negative, not statistically significant effect of the Janssen pause would be overwhelmed within weeks by the statistically significant increasing perceptions of safety across time. We also observed strong variability in vaccine hesitancy in many participants. Frequent reminders about vaccine availability might catch more people when they are less hesitant, helping increase vaccination rates.

scholarly journals What Barriers Exist in the Minds of Vaccine-Hesitant Parents, and How Can We Address Them?

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 626-630
Author(s):  
Andrew R. Kerrigan ◽  
Imane Aitnouri ◽  
Jessica Mar ◽  
Wayne Altman
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
The United States ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Risks And Benefits ◽  
Vaccine Schedule ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Risk Of Disease ◽  
Sexual Concerns

Background and Objectives: Despite substantial health benefits and prolific research efforts to demonstrate safety and increase uptake, vaccine hesitancy has increased dramatically. This study aimed to systematically analyze available literature on vaccine hesitancy in the United States and determine the rationale behind vaccine-hesitant parents and potential interventions. Methods: We conducted a literature search and identified 232 articles; we included 90 after screening. We pulled information from each article using standardized questions for “type of study,” “population,” “specific vaccine,” “reasons for hesitancy,” “hesitancy prevalence,” “attempt at change,” “results of intervention,” and “future interventions.” We created recurrent themes from the data and analyzed these themes via descriptive statistics. Results: Vaccine safety was the most commonly identified reason for vaccine hesitancy amongst studies (50%), followed by not enough information (30%), side effects (26%), low risk of disease (26%), social norms (22%), vaccine schedule (21%), not recommended by doctor (21%), efficacy (18%), cost/access (13%), sexual concerns (12%) and distrust of establishment (7%). Only 20% of papers documented an intervention, and <50% of these reported increased vaccination rates or intent. More research was the most commonly identified next step (49%). Conclusions: Despite large amounts of research on vaccination rates, patients are still reporting not enough information and safety as the most common reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Interventions were few and without promising results. More research was the most suggested intervention. Such research must address concerns of the vaccine-hesitant community, comparing risks and benefits of each vaccination in a longitudinal, coherent, and transparently unbiased fashion.

scholarly journals Network Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation on Social Media

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad Melton ◽  
Olufunto A. Olusanya ◽  
Arash Shaban-Nejad
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Semantic Network ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
World Population ◽  
Semantic Network Analysis ◽  
Online Social Media ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Media Platform

Almost half of the world population has received at least one dose of vaccine against the COVID-19 virus. However, vaccine hesitancy amongst certain populations is driving new waves of infections at alarming rates. The popularity of online social media platforms attracts supporters of the anti-vaccination movement who spread misinformation about vaccine safety and effectiveness. We conducted a semantic network analysis to explore and analyze COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on the Reddit social media platform.

scholarly journals Public Willingness and Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination at the Initial Stage of Mass Vaccination in China

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1172
Author(s):  
Yi-Miao Zhao ◽  
Lin Liu ◽  
Jie Sun ◽  
Wei Yan ◽  
Kai Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
High Income ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
The Government ◽  
Vaccine Information

The present study assessed the willingness of the general population to receive COVID-19 vaccines and identified factors that influence vaccine hesitancy and resistance. A national online survey was conducted from 29 January 2021 to 26 April 2021 in China. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors that influence vaccine hesitancy and resistance. Of the 34,041 participants surveyed, 18,810 (55.3%) were willing to get vaccinated, 13,736 (40.3%) were hesitant, and 1495 (4.4%) were resistant. Rates of vaccine acceptance increased over time, with geographical discrepancies in vaccine hesitancy and resistance between provinces in China. Vaccine safety was the greatest concern expressed by most participants (24,461 [71.9%]), and the major reason for participants’ refusing vaccination (974 [65.2%]). Government agencies (23,131 [68.0%]) and social media (20,967 [61.6%]) were the main sources of COVID-19 vaccine information. Compared with vaccination acceptance, female, young and middle-aged, high income, and perceived low-risk of infection were associated with vaccine hesitancy. Histories of allergic reactions to other vaccines and depression symptoms were related to vaccine resistance. Common factors that influenced vaccine hesitancy and resistance were residing in cities and perceiving less protection with vaccines than with other protective measures. The results indicate that the rate of vaccine resistance is relatively low, but vaccine hesitancy is common. Individuals who are female, young and middle-aged, with a high income, and residing in cities are more likely to be hesitant for vaccination and should be the target populations for vaccination campaigns. Specific vaccine messaging from the government and social media could alleviate public concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy.

scholarly journals Vaccine Hesitancy in the Time of COVID-19: Attitudes and Intentions of Teens and Parents Regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Amy B. Middleman ◽  
Judy Klein ◽  
Jane Quinn
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Parental Concerns ◽  
The Us ◽  
Coverage Rates

To assess attitudes and intentions related to the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic, we surveyed adolescents aged 13–18 years and the parents of 13–18-year-olds using national research panels on three occasions or “waves”: before the COVID-19 vaccine was available, after it was available for adults, and after it was available for ages ≥12 years. Data on experiences with COVID-19, the importance of adolescent vaccines, and intentions regarding COVID-19 vaccination were analyzed across time points. We found that parental concerns about vaccine safety significantly increased from Wave 1 to 2. Social media had a negative influence on parents’ and adolescents’ opinions about vaccine safety. Demographic variables were associated with vaccination rates reported in Wave 3, consistent with known inequities related to vaccine access. Parents (70%) were supportive of concomitant COVID-19 vaccination with other adolescent vaccines for teens. It is important to address variables associated with vaccine hesitancy to increase COVID-19 vaccine coverage rates in the US.

scholarly journals Postponing vaccination in children with an infection: a qualitative study among general practitioners and pediatricians

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 541-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien Gonthier ◽  
Pauline Basselin ◽  
Jean-Marc Boivin ◽  
Joelle Kivits ◽  
Céline Pulcini
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Viral Infection ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Inductive Method ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Catch Up ◽  
French Region

Abstract Background Vaccination postponement is an important contributing factor to low vaccination coverage. The causes of vaccine postponement are numerous, but the presence of viral infection, whether febrile or not, is the most frequent cause. Objective The objective was to explore the factors motivating the practice of vaccination postponement in a child with an infection by general practitioners (GPs) and paediatricians. Methods An exploratory qualitative study using semi-directive individual interviews was carried out among GPs and paediatricians in a French region between November 2015 and January 2018. After the interviews were fully transcribed, an analysis of the data was performed using an inductive method derived from the grounded theory. Results Fourteen GPs and four paediatricians participated in the study. Vaccination postponement during infection in children is rooted in doctors’ practices; it is considered a low-risk habit that is shared with parents, and vaccine hesitancy reinforces this practice. In children presenting with an infection, the presence of uncertainty about vaccine safety and effectiveness seems to justify postponing vaccination. The organization of a consultation dedicated to vaccination catch-up was cited as the best tool to limit the effects of vaccination delay on vaccination coverage. Discussion In children presenting with an infection, vaccination postponement is widely used by GPs and paediatricians. Simplification of the vaccination catch-up process and clear and consistent recommendations on the indications and modalities for vaccination postponement would be useful.

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