In an interview earlier this month, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, explained how OPV is connected to the recent New York polio case in an unvaccinated adult. The out-of-context video clip has been shared on social media alongside misinformation about vaccine-derived poliovirus and the safety of polio vaccines.
Recommendation:
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The high-profile nature of this misinformation elevates its risk. Misconceptions about vaccine-derived polio are persistent and take time to combat. Consider countering misinformation about vaccine-derived polio by explaining that vaccines protect against all forms of polio. Emphasizing that this type of vaccine-derived polio is extremely rare and only dangerous to unvaccinated people is recommended. Messaging may also explain that the best way to prevent any type of polio outbreak—whether wild polio or vaccine-derived—is to vaccinate all children. Fact-Checking Source(s):
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