Social media has become the hub of conspiracy theories, immediately after the pandemic of COVID-19. According to the conspiracy theory related to COVID-19 vaccination in Pakistan, some political figures stated that COVID-19 is a conspiracy against Muslim Countries and it is a grand illusion. This conspiracy theory created the hesitation in supporting COVID 19 vaccine. A responsible and ethical behavior of health care professionals, political bodies, and mass media is required in this situation.
The conspiracy theory is associated with Pakistanโs renowned columnist and political commentator who claimed the virus as the illusion to allow Jews to target Islamic nations and rule the world. According to another conspiracy theory, the nanochips embedded in people’s bodies are controlled through 5G towers. Another conspiracy theory is associated with the US as a root source of the virus in the UK and further transferred to China to spread it globally. These conspiracies are becoming the barriers by creating resistance in people for adopting the upcoming COVID 19 Vaccine.
Yusra Habib Khan along with six other Authors belonging to three different universities including the Jouf University of Saudi Arabia, University of Punjab, and Tehsil Head Quarter Hospital Jaranwala conducted the study to reveal the misleading narratives exposed in Pakistan after COVID-19.
The research method used in the study includes the observation of some popular political bodies’ opinions and theories to analyze their theories in COVID 19 perspectives.
The findings suggest that the role of mass media, media authority, involving Islamic scholars for health promotion, responsibilities of health authorities, healthcare professionals, researchers, and importance of public education is recommended. The media should not publish unauthorized conspiracy theories. The media authorities like PEMRA should issue guidelines for passing statements related to COVID and strict actions should be taken against the person who spread controversies regarding vaccination without authentic facts.
Islamic scholars are required to encourage the public regarding COVID vaccination for health benefits.
The expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) role is significant in offering accurate information to the public regarding the safety of vaccination and responding to the anti-vaccination campaign actively.
The recent study disclosed the fact that the awareness of the public about infectious diseases directly related to public confidence about vaccines.
Another study that includes 140,000 participants globally showed that the active campaign of public awareness about infectious diseases increases the belief in the vaccine’s importance, safety, and effectiveness.
Health authorities and health care professionals play a significant role in taking action to disseminate honest and accurate information regarding the need and safety of vaccination. Communication researchers and Data scientists are the last hope for taking actions for analyzing the flow of information and source of information and restrict the flow of information to make the curve flatten for infodemic and limit the spread of the information. Secondly, healthcare professionals play a pivotal role in providing transparent information on how vaccines are made, tested and their side effects. The professionals should show their confidence in the vaccination.
Pakistan is currently facing a hard time due to COVID hence, it is not in the position to afford the burden of these conspiracies and false claims. It is time to overcome the burden of loss caused by COVID by limiting the effects of a pandemic.
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