This paper synthesizes literature on social media misinformation regarding COVID-19 vaccines and its impact on vaccine uptake. A systematic review identified 40 peer-reviewed articles, highlighting themes such as vaccine development, medical misinformation, conspiracy theories, and religious fatalism. Findings suggest social media misinformation negatively affects vaccine confidence across the world.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:
Understand the Role of Social Media in Disseminating Misinformation: Participants will be able to identify and explain how social media platforms have contributed to the spread of misinformation related to COVID-19 vaccines, as highlighted by the World Health Organization's concept of an "Infodemic."
Analyze the Impact of Misinformation on Vaccine Hesitancy: Participants will be able to critically evaluate the effects of social media misinformation on vaccine hesitancy and adherence to public health guidance measures, using findings from recent studies and empirical journal articles.
Develop Strategies to Counteract Vaccine Misinformation: Participants will be able to identify evidence-based strategies for public health efforts to counteract vaccine hesitancy, focusing on collaboration between policymakers, healthcare professionals, and social media platforms to ensure accurate and transparent information dissemination.
