The COVID-19 pandemic brought fresh attention to the ways that misinformation and disinformation influence vaccine demand. The role of social media algorithms in turbo-charging the spread of rumors and falsehoods is in the spotlight as never before. There have also been new opportunities to understand the real-world concerns of communities and to engage with them using digital tools. Just as trusted messengers play a key role in shaping offline community dialogue on vaccine safety and efficacy, online influencers are also well-placed to develop and deliver impactful information to vulnerable groups. This session will discuss examples from polio, routine immunization and COVID-19 of how this dynamic field can be used to counter misinformation and build demand.
Reda 4 International Social and Behavior Change Communication Summit info@sbccsummit.orgThe COVID-19 pandemic brought fresh attention to the ways that misinformation and disinformation influence vaccine demand. The role of social media algorithms in turbo-charging the spread of rumors and falsehoods is in the spotlight as never before. There have also been new opportunities to understand the real-world concerns of communities and to engage with them using digital tools. Just as trusted messengers play a key role in shaping offline community dialogue on vaccine safety and efficacy, online influencers are also well-placed to develop and deliver impactful information to vulnerable groups. This session will discuss examples from polio, routine immunization and COVID-19 of how this dynamic field can be used to counter misinformation and build demand.