Misinformation and conspiracy theories are fueling the hesitancy of the public toward COVID-19 vaccines, WHO officials said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) remains committed to helping the public in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials and experts under the agency have continued to address the ongoing issues, including misinformation.
This comes as conspiracy theories and false claims have become more evident these days, fueling distrust toward the COVID-19 vaccines. Public health officials, consequently, deem it as a “risk factor” that is driving the pandemic further.
In her recent engagement, Maria Van Kerkhove shared her thoughts about the matter. She noted that misinformation is “driving an increase” in coronavirus cases, according to CNBC.
It has become another risk factor
On Tuesday, the WHO’s technical lead on COVID-19 asserted that misinformation is keeping many individuals from getting the vaccine shots against the virus. This then leads to an increase in transmissions around the globe.
Kerkhove shared that the amount of false, inaccurate information appears to have gotten worse in the last few weeks. This seems to confuse the general public, adding that “misinformation has become another risk factor,” allowing the virus to thrive.
WHO official made an appeal
Earlier this month, another WHO official made similar statements before the public. Reports noted that the expert made an appeal, as well, to her audience.
The agency’s Latin America branch director urged residents of Caribbean countries to “wake up” from the slumber of misinformation. This came after the apparent spread of false claims throughout the region.
Dr. Carissa Etienne stated that misinformation toward the vaccines is “making people hesitant” to receive the doses. She asked the residents to take their shots, adding that islands have “limited” bed and ICU capacities.
The area’s “health systems will become overwhelmed very quickly,” the WHO official asserted.
A 5th major factor needs to be added to my list of what’s driving transmission right now—though not new, it has been particularly bad recently—it’s misinformation & disinformation
Informed, empowered & enabled people are 🔑 to collectively fight #COVID19https://t.co/iesRMAsxrI https://t.co/vlvwZaV5tm
— Maria Van Kerkhove (@mvankerkhove) August 24, 2021
Misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines
Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation states that many unvaccinated Americans see the COVID-19 vaccines as “more of a threat” than a help to their health. This led an FDA official to note that misinformation remains “one of the biggest challenges” when it comes to vaccination.
Dr. Peter Marks shared some of the false claims they have heard about the COVID-19 vaccines. He stated that there are individuals who believe that the jab “causes infertility” and COVID-19, contains microchips, and worse, led thousands of people to die.
Similar to the WHO officials’ conclusions, he emphasized that “these claims are simply not true.”
Images (1) & (2) courtesy of World Health Organization (WHO)/YouTube