Zimbabwe’s Battle Against Polio Misinformation Reveals Public Health Challenge

When Memory Mukusha, a 26-year-old Zimbabwean mother, received a WhatsApp message marked as “breaking news,” her world was suddenly filled with fear. The message claimed that polio vaccination could cause infertility and harm her toddler. Like millions of other Zimbabweans, Mukusha relies on WhatsApp for daily news and information—often treating what she reads there as truth, despite the lack of verification.

“Before, I had received many messages regarding health issues, but this one claiming that polio vaccination could cause infertility and many other problems to my only child made me tremble,” Mukusha recalled. The contradictions between this message and healthcare advice left her deeply unsettled.

Following her usual habit, she forwarded the message, seeking input from others. Soon, self-proclaimed “experts” with varying backgrounds flooded the WhatsApp group with conflicting advice, further muddying the waters of reliable information.

In Zimbabwe, where approximately 5 million of the 16 million citizens use WhatsApp for affordable communication, misinformation spreads rapidly, often outpacing factual news. This digital phenomenon has serious real-world consequences, especially when it targets public health initiatives.

The timing couldn’t have been worse. In February 2023, environmental samples from four surveillance sites in Harare had tested positive for type 2 variant poliovirus (cVDPV2). Though no cases of acute flaccid paralysis had been identified, the threat was real enough for officials to declare a public health emergency by October 2023.

In response, the Ministry of Health and Child Care launched a nationwide vaccination campaign targeting children under ten years old, aiming to reach an estimated 4 million children. By January 2024, over 10.5 million doses of novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 had arrived in Zimbabwe.

“The detection of cVDPV2 is a serious concern, but we are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively. This nationwide vaccination campaign demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting the health of every child in Zimbabwe,” said Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, the Minister of Health and Child Care, at the campaign’s launch.

However, vaccinators immediately encountered resistance fueled by misinformation. Loice Maunganidze, a frontline vaccinator, witnessed this firsthand: “When we got on the field to start the vaccination, we responded to many questions regarding the safety of the vaccines, and some mothers even showed us messages that were sent via WhatsApp, discouraging them from getting their children vaccinated.”

Reagan Chidhakwa, a Zimbabwean vaccinologist, identified persistent myths: “One of the most persistent myths is that polio vaccines cause infertility. We’ve seen this rumor derail campaigns in northern Nigeria and parts of Pakistan. There’s absolutely no scientific evidence for it, but because it taps into deep fears, it spreads quickly.”

Another widespread misconception is that the vaccine itself causes polio, stemming from misunderstandings about vaccine-derived poliovirus. This rare occurrence happens only when the weakened virus in the oral polio vaccine mutates as it spreads through a poorly protected population.

Oliver Rosenbauer, communications lead at the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), emphasized that high vaccination coverage is the key preventive measure. “If you have high vaccination coverage in a community, then such vaccine viruses are not able to find susceptible children, not able to circulate, and do not change into strong viruses.”

To combat the misinformation epidemic, UNICEF’s Social and Behavior Change group worked with local media, health officials, and the Zimbabwe National Immunization Technical Advisory Group to disseminate accurate information. They implemented the Real-Time Refusals Tracker and Rumour Management System to monitor and address misinformation effectively.

“By filling information gaps and addressing the media’s concerns, these engagements encouraged responsible and factual reporting, which played a pivotal role in reshaping public perception,” the GPEI reported. The strategic intervention paid off—by the conclusion of the second round of vaccinations in March 2024, Zimbabwe had vaccinated over 4.7 million children, exceeding the target by 13.2%.

Experts emphasize that addressing misinformation requires a multi-faceted approach. “It starts with listening. Too often, we rush to correct people without hearing their concerns. When parents feel heard, they’re more open to facts,” Chidhakwa explained. “Then, we work with trusted messengers, faith leaders, teachers, midwives, people who already have credibility. Transparency is key.”

For Mukusha, the experience was transformative. After consulting healthcare experts, she now approaches social media information cautiously. “I now rely on information from trained health professionals, who are trained for the job, rather than anonymous individuals,” she said.

As Zimbabwe’s case demonstrates, the battle against vaccine misinformation requires not only swift public health responses but also strategic communication efforts that build trust within communities. With poliovirus posing a renewed threat globally, the stakes of this information battle have never been higher.