CPLP: Misinformation, conspiracy theories, rumours fuel reticence about Covid-19 vaccines – study

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

CPLP: Misinformation, conspiracy theories, rumours fuel reticence about Covid-19 vaccines – study

8:31 CAT | 27 Oct 2021

File photo: Lusa

CPLP: Misinformation, conspiracy theories, rumours fuel reticence about Covid-19 vaccines – study
facebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonemail sharing buttonlinkedin sharing buttonwhatsapp sharing button
Lisbon, Oct. 27, 2021 (Lusa) – Misinformation, conspiracy theories and rumours strengthen reticence about Covid-19 vaccines in Portuguese-language countries, which record 21% “vaccine hesitation” overall, according to a study by the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Universidade Nova de Lisboa.

According to the institute, the “hesitation regarding the vaccine has caused concern among health authorities, including in Portuguese-language countries”.

“Misinformation and massive dissemination of false information, conspiracy theories and rumours about [the] Covid-19 vaccines, in addition to political polarisation, are among the main factors that worry countries, even before the start of vaccination, and directly and indirectly strengthen vaccine hesitancy, contributing to the delayed achievement of collective immunity,” the note refers.

Entitled “Determinants of vaccine hesitancy towards Covid-19 in Portuguese language countries”, the study aimed to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with vaccine hesitancy in order to contribute to the creation of more effective strategies to increase the acceptance of the vaccine against the virus.

This is an observational and analytical study, based on online data collection from 6,843 individuals from seven Portuguese-language countries: Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and Sao Tome and Principe.

The report concluded that “the overall vaccine hesitancy rate was 21 percent, with considerable variation between countries” of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).

Reflecting on these findings, the researchers note that “social media contribute to the creation of affective-informational bubbles of misinformation guided by an algorithmic logic, in which people seek information that reinforces their prejudices and alleviates their fears and tensions, even if it is based on errors.”

In addition, the researchers warn that “specific characteristics related to gender, age and social and cognitive vulnerabilities, added to poorly substantiated and/or misrepresented acquired knowledge about the Covid-19 vaccine” are aspects to consider when planning vaccination campaigns.

“There is a need to respond in a timely, rapid and accurate manner to the challenges posed by vaccine hesitancy,” consider the study authors.

Source: Lusa