Trending Narrative Alerts
March 25, 2025
Posts share video of French anti-vaccine advocate claiming a heightened risk of cVDPV2
U.S. and French-based social media accounts shared a video interview with a known French anti-vaccine advocate on a site with a history of promoting anti-vaccine conspiracies. The posts claim that the interviewee, a retired French physician, is “raising the alarm” about a heightened risk of cVDPV2 at “10 times the rate of WPV” through the oral polio vaccines allegedly promoted by Bill Gates and WHO. Responses to the posts were both in favor of and against the physician, and some also criticized Bill Gates’ and so-called Western “experiments,” repeating the debunked myth that Gates used vaccination efforts as a forced depopulation plan. One response from a user claiming to have worked for “UNICEF/CDC/WHO vaccination campaigns” sowed doubt about vaccination efforts. However, overall the posts have had relatively few engagements and are being shared mostly in the United States, France, and Canada.
Geography: ESAR: Madagascar; WCAR: Niger; Global (Other): United States, France, Canada
Themes: Conspiracy theories
Risk Assessment: Low
March 24, 2025
Social media users respond positively to end of polio boycotts in Pakistan
The deputy commissioner of Pakistan’s South Waziristan Lower district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province posted an announcement of an agreement among tribal council leaders to end the polio boycott. The news comes after several local groups earlier in March called for polio boycotts amid reports that 14 districts across the country had detected poliovirus. Most of the responses to the social media post were positive.
Geography: ROSA: Pakistan
Themes: Necessity
Risk Assessment: Low
March 22, 2025
Posts promote unproven claim that dozens of vaccinated children caught polio
Several social media posts across multiple platforms are circulating the unsupported claim that 75 children in Pakistan contracted polio despite being vaccinated. The reported source for the claim is the Minister of State for National Health Services, who allegedly announced that the government would launch an inquiry into the cases. One post sharing the claim accused the government—without evidence—of refusing to check the ingredients of polio vaccines provided by the Gates Foundation and WHO because they are “exempted” from testing. Other posts claimed that the vaccines are just water, that the vaccines are “poison” that causes polio, and that polio vaccines harmed half a million people in India, a myth that has been repeatedly debunked. However, the limited online coverage of the claim does not include a quote from the minister to support it. Additionally, no mainstream news sites, global health organizations, or government bodies have confirmed the alleged infections or the existence of any inquiry. Notably, the supposed number of polio infections in vaccinated children surpasses the total number of polio cases in Pakistan for all of 2024.
Geography: ROSA: Pakistan
Themes: Conspiracy theories, Effectiveness, Ingredients, Safety and side effects
Risk Assessment: Medium
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Alert Categories
Alerts are categorized as high, medium, and low risk.
High risk
Narratives with widespread circulation across communities or countries, high engagement, exponential velocity, and a high potential to impact vaccination efforts.
Medium risk
Narratives circulating in priority countries that may impact vaccination decisions. Potential for further spread due to the tactics used or because of predicted velocity. May highlight legitimate questions and concerns, not just false claims.
Low risk
Narratives that are limited in reach, aren't impacting priority communities, or lack the qualities necessary for future spread. Helpful to know because these narratives may indicate information gaps, confusion, or concerns.
Polio Digital Messaging Guide: A Strategic Tool for Digital Engagement and SBC
A practical resource that bridges digital best practices with field-based health communication to equip teams with the knowledge and tools needed to protect children from polio and foster trust in vaccination programs.
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Top line Data
This charts below highlights data specific to polio outbreak countries over the past seven days, and is updated daily. Analysis includes data from the latest list of outbreak countries according to GPEI.
The charts below highlight data specific to polio endemic countries (Pakistan and Afghanistan) over the past seven days, and is updated daily.