COVID-19 & Misinformation

COVID-19

AstraZeneca’s COVID vaccine withdrawn – Right to the end it was the victim of misinformation

— AstraZeneca withdrawing its COVID vaccine from the market has nothing to do with blood clots.

Public Health

Vaccine hesitancy is one of the greatest threats to global health – and the pandemic has made it worse

— The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a decline in childhood vaccinations worldwide, contributing to outbreaks of infectious diseases. Tackling misinformation will be a big part of addressing vaccine hesitancy.

UK Media

GB News’ latest blunder: Allowing anti-vaxxer to run amok on air

— GB News violated the broadcasting code by letting Naomi Wolf make unfounded claims comparing the COVID-19 vaccine to mass murder. Concerned, Ofcom has requested a meeting with the controversial channel.

Conspiracy Theories

QAnon is spreading outside the US – A conspiracy theory expert explains what that could mean

— The mysterious QAnon network is becoming an international movement, and an estimated 22% of Americans back one of its core beliefs.

SQUARE+

Tory MP to sue Matt Hancock over COVID-19 vaccine remarks

— Brexiter MP Andrew Bridgen, who lost the Conservative whip in the Commons after appearing to compare COVID vaccines to the Holocaust on Twitter, is taking legal action against Matt Hancock for criticising his remarks.

COVID-19 & Misinformation

How anti-vaccine misinformation hampers the conversation about genuine vaccine injuries

— The COVID vaccination programme had saved 19.8 million lives globally. Yet anti-vaxxers distract the discussion over vaccine injuries with comments promoting anti-vaccine tropes, misinformation, and abuse.