Social Media Misinformation on Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: A South African Perspective

• Pages: 61-70
• Date: 01 December 2021
• Published date: 01 December 2021
• Author: Ndivhuwo Doctor Sundani,Aniekie Mohlabine Motloutsi

European Journal of Economics, Law and Social Sciences

IIPCCL Publishing, Graz-Austria

Special Issue

December, 2021

ISSN 2519-1284

Acces online at www.iipccl.org

61

Social Media Misinformation on Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: A South

African Perspective

Ndivhuwo Doctor Sundani

Aniekie Mohlabine Motloutsi

University of South Africa

Abstract

This study is timely and important. Covid-19 vaccine acceptance is crucial to protecting

persons and vulnerable populations’ health, reopening social and economic life and

potentially achieving population health and safety through immunity. This study focuses on

the contribution of social media misinformation on the Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy in South

Africa. The objectives of the study are to determine the Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy fuelled by

social media, evaluate the type of Covid-19 vaccine misinformation shared on social media

and propose solutions to prevent Covid-19 vaccine misinformation on social media. Protection

motivation theory was adopted to help understand human responses to fear appeals caused by

Covid-19 vaccine misinformation. The study used qualitative methodology to explore social

media misinformation on the Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy. The study’s data were collected

from the previous literature. Descriptive analysis was adopted and used as a method to

analyse data. It was revealed in this study that vaccine hesitancy causes a delay in acceptance

or refusal of vaccines uptake despite the availability of vaccination services as indicated by

the World Health Organization (WHO). With this study, researchers aim to bring solutions to

prevent social media misinformation on the Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy in South Africa.

Keywords: Covid-19, hesitancy, misinformation, social media, vaccine

Introduction and problem statement

Globally, social media platforms have changed how the public participates in and

expresses opinions about government strategies and policies. The powerful roles of

social media platforms include the spread of misinformation regarding the Covid-19

vaccines. Steens, Dunn, Wiley and Leask (2019) def‌ine the term ‘misinformation’ as

false information shared without the intention of harm.

On the other hand, Burger, Buenheim, English, Maughan-Brown, Köhler and

Tameris, (2021:1) explained that hesitancy is dynamic and responds to the shifts

that occur regularly when new research on vaccine ecacy is released – especially

relating to the Covid-19 variant that was f‌irst identif‌ied in South Africa. Hesitancy

may also respond to Covid-19 outbreaks, vaccine availability and uptake, as well

as disinformation. In this regard, Social Science in Humanitarian Action Platform

(SSHAP) (2021:9) revealed that in the East and Southern African region, South Africa

accounts for the highest number of social media engagements generated by rumours

and concerns.

According to the WHO (2014:7), vaccine hesitancy refers to delay in acceptance