Covid-19 Vaccine-Related Misinformation Shared On Social Media In Ghana

Abstract

The approval of COVID-19 vaccine came as a relieve to the world. However, the roll out of the vaccines have been characterized by misinformation and misconceptions which has the potential to negatively affect uptake and coverage of the vaccination exercise. Many of these misinformation and misconceptions are circulated in various social media in Ghana. This study used social media content to determine the types, and forms of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccine on social media in Ghana. The study used netnography, a form of ethnography that is conducted online. The study was conducted between 1st March 2021 to 30th September, 2021 (a period of seven months). A number of syntaxes were developed in relation to COVID-19 vaccine-related misinformation and searched on WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter. All posts containing the keywords were retrieved and saved for coding, categorization and thematic analysis using NVivo 12 software. The study included all COVID-19 vaccine related posts shared in English. The study results indicated that misinformation does not begin and stay on only one social media platform. Facebook and WhatsApp were found to have the most vaccine rumor content. The nature of misinformation was dependent on the stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rumors and misconceptions including conspiracy theories were found to be the major forms of misinformation circulating in social media in Ghana. The strategies developed by the government to control misinformation and vaccine hesitancy in Ghana were to debunk misinformation, educate the online public and implement a vaccine mandate. In conclusion, misinformation can mar the efforts of researchers and scientist who are dedicated to fighting and providing solutions to curtail the effects of pandemics. Social media fueled vaccine hesitancy is a threat to public health and medical advancement.