A Media Intervention Applying Debunking Versus Non-Debunking Content to Combat Vaccine Misinformation in Elderly in the Netherlands: A Digital Randomised Trial

May 14, 2021

Hamza Yousuf 1, Sander van der Linden 1, Luke Bredius, G.A. (Ted) van Essen, Govert Sweep, Zohar Preminger, Eric van Gorp, Erik Scherder, Jagat Narula, Leonard Hofstra.

Lancet

Yousuf et al. performed a randomized parallel-group blinded study in the Netherlands to assess impact of an intervention video on vaccine hesitancy. Participants were recruited through a TV show targeted to elderly viewers between October 13 to 16, 2021 and were randomized between a video intervention and control. The two videos contained either social norms, vaccine information and debunking of vaccination myths (intervention group, n = 505), or only vaccine information and social norms (control group, n = 475). Follow-up surveys showed that the intervention group was more likely to reject vaccine myths as well as to believe in government mitigation measures. These findings suggest that media interventions are effective in combating misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.

Aaronson B, Glick SN, Kirk CJ, et al. Assessment of Feasibility of Face Covering in School-Aged Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders and Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder. 2021; 17: 68–70.

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