Critics of vaccines exhibit higher rates of criticism towards the government instead of vaccines, according to a recent study.
Vaccine Skepticism in Kazakhstan: Clickbait Headlines Amplify Anti-Vaxxer Narratives
Researchers at DM "Technology" have shed light on the attitudes of Kazakhstan residents towards vaccination, revealing a complex web of beliefs influenced, in part, by the media.
A study conducted on nearly 170,000 publications in Kazakhstan's internet segment found that criticisms against vaccines are often disguised as doubt rather than outright opposition, with many online negatives focusing on the government's lack of clear information about vaccines and the vaccination process. According to the experts, this covert anti-vaxxer movement, amplified by sensationalist media headlines, can be particularly dangerous.
The Role of Clickbait Headlines
From April 4 to May 9, there were 168,900 publications about vaccines and vaccination from 49,000 accounts in Kazakhstan's internet segment. Surprisingly, out of these, 20.4% contained negative information. These disheartening sentiments were not evenly distributed, as social media users aged 25-34 were the most active, making up 32% of all publications.
However, the most troubling aspect of these negative posts wasn't their content but rather the way they caught the attention of readers. Anti-vaxxers often used clickbait headlines to convince others of the vaccine's unsafe nature due to insufficient information. In many cases, these headlines contributed to misinformation by omitting valuable details or presenting false claims.
This is especially concerning in the case of television media, where viewers might not read beyond the headline, leading them to believe the vaccine is dangerous. Anti-vaxxers have taken advantage of this, sharing screenshots of reports with sensational headlines like "Doctor infected with coronavirus after vaccination in Almaty," or "Almaty resident died after coronavirus vaccination." In these articles, there is usually a medical expert who offers a balanced opinion, but often, this information comes later in the segment, and not all viewers watch the entire piece.
The Rise of QazVac
However, there was a shift in interest towards the Kazakhstani vaccine, QazVac. Discussion about QazVac saw a sharp increase in April, attributed to several news events: the first batch was shipped on April 22, the third phase of testing ended on April 24, and vaccination of the population began on April 26. Still, according to the researchers, this interest tends to drop significantly on the first two days of each week, likely due to work routines and the lack of information triggers provided by officials.
Ignorance and Doubt
A significant portion of negative comments about vaccines were not directly against any specific vaccine but rather criticism of officials for a lack of clear information, no explanation of the vaccination process, side effects, and contraindications. Additionally, social media influencers, like lawyer Gulmira Qarasai and Shymkent doctor Aina Bakayeva, sparked discussion with their posts questioning the actions of the Ministry of Health.
Misinformation and National Pride
Regarding foreign vaccines, such as "Sputnik V," Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, and others, misinformation and national pride often intertwined. Kazakhstanis expressed doubts about the transparency of Russian vaccine trials, criticizing statements by politicians from neighboring countries. Information was circulated suggesting Russians withheld data to hinder their Kazakh colleagues in developing QazVac.
Interestingly, some Kazakhstanis were upset by social media posts suggesting that the government had failed to build a domestic vaccine plant but was buying Russian "Sputnik V" components and bottling them in Karaganda. In contrast, QazVac was planned to be produced in Turkey, leading to accusations that QazVac is actually a Chinese product with a relabeled label.
Harnessing the Power of Verified Information
To combat the spread of misinformation, experts recommend media outlets should prioritize verified, evidence-based reporting on vaccines. Public health campaigns, on the other hand, should proactively counter misinformation with accurate information. This would help restore trust in reputable sources and protect public health.
In conclusion, clickbait headlines can contribute to the spread of anti-vaccination sentiments by misinforming the public about vaccine safety and effectiveness. To combat this, it is crucial to promote balanced, evidence-based reporting on vaccinations and address public concerns with accurate information.
- The study by researchers at DM "Technology" in Kazakhstan found that criticisms against vaccines are often masked as doubt instead of outright opposition, with many online negatives focusing on the government's lack of clear information about vaccines and the vaccination process, which can be amplified by sensationalist media headlines.
- In Kazakhstan, anti-vaxxers often use clickbait headlines to convince others of the vaccine's unsafe nature due to insufficient information, contributing to misinformation by omitting valuable details or presenting false claims, particularly on social media and television media.
- The rise of interest in QazVac, the Kazakhstani vaccine, was observed in April due to several news events, but there was a decrease in discussion about it on the first two days of each week, likely due to work routines and the lack of information triggers provided by officials.
- Misinformation and national pride often intertwined in discussions about foreign vaccines such as "Sputnik V," Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, among others, on social media platforms, leading to debates about transparency, data manipulation, and the origin of vaccines.
- To combat the spread of misinformation and restore trust in reputable sources, experts recommend media outlets should prioritize verified, evidence-based reporting on vaccinations and public health campaigns should proactively counter misinformation with accurate information to protect public health.
