The fight against fake news In the case of vaccination, especially on social media, the focus should be on those who have doubts about the efficacy and safety of the doses, not on those who spread rumors and fake news. This is what the representative of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Brazil, Socorro Gross, advocates.
“We have to work hard, and we have to work together, against these people. [que espalham fake news]knowing that they will not change. But there is another group of people. And they are people we can still talk to because they have doubts”, said Socorro, when participating in the 26th National Immunization Day, in Recife.
“There are more of us who believe that vaccines work. Some say that vaccines are not good. These are few, but they talk a lot. And this comes through social media,” Socorro highlighted. “That’s why we have to talk to people that we can still change because they have doubts. They need information that works.”
For the PAHO representative in Brazil, the country is experiencing what she called a “turning point” in terms of vaccination. “It has already shown the whole world that it is possible, when there is political decision and coordination. That it works,” she said, highlighting that Brazil recently stopped being on the list of the 20 countries with the most unvaccinated children.
“Brazil has increased its vaccination coverage like no other country has done and has once again shown the strength that comes from the union, amid adversity, of institutions that come together to care for everyone,” he concluded, highlighting that PAHO continues to be a partner of the government and Brazilian institutions in this process.
*The reporter traveled at the invitation of the Brazilian Society of Immunizations (SBIm)