- WHO official Maria van Kerkhove said misinformation about the virus is a driving force in new infections.
- The delta variant has caused spikes among vaccinated communities and some vaccinated individuals.
- One poll suggests 67 percent of unvaccinated people believe in one common vaccine myth.
World Health Organization (WHO) officials are concerned over a perceived growing threat of misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, citing it as a factor in the recent surge in new infections.
Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO technical lead on COVID-19, confirmed these concerns on a livestream broadcast question and answer session on Tuesday.
While discussing factors leading to outbreaks, including the delta variants increased rates of transmission, inconsistent adherence to public health measures, and the inequitable distribution of vaccinations, Van Kerkhove added that misinformation is now a driving cause in global virus transmission.
“I think in the last week–weeks, four weeks of so, the amount of misinformation that is out there seems to be getting worse, and I think that is really confusing for the general public,” she said. “I fear that…[this] is really allowing the virus to thrive.”
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Van Kerkhove added that vaccinations are the best way to halt the spread of the virus, despite the reports of breakthrough infections and waning immunity. Masks and physical distances are also still recommended.
Misinformation surrounding the origins and nature of COVID-19, as well as the corresponding preventative health measures like face masks and vaccinations, have characterized the pandemic and many countries’ struggle to contain the virus.
Statistically, some reports suggest about 27 percent of unvaccinated Americans blame mainstream media for the new wave of COVID-19 cases, according to an Ipsos survey.
Vaccinated Americans, conversely, place blame on conservative media, with 33 percent saying those sources are the culprits for the outbreak of delta-fueled infections.
Additionally, a small portion of the population appears to be proactively looking for vaccine information on accredited websites. Just 3 in 10 American respondents reported looking to their state’s health department website.
A separate poll conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 67 percent of unvaccinated adults believe in at least one “major myth” about COVID-19 vaccines. Some of these inaccuracies include the vaccine causing COVID-19, the vaccine changing human DNA and that vaccines affect fertility.
Back in July, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory wherein he named misinformation surrounding COVID-19 as an “urgent threat” against vaccinations.
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