APP TO DEBUNK VACCINE MYTHS, MISCONCEPTIONS

MALKERNS – While social media has played a huge role in vaccine hesitancy among emaSwati, the Ministry of Health has rolled up its sleeves to ensure that accurate information is disseminated at all times.

This was the general observation by Business Eswatini CEO Nathi Dlamini. He made this submission during the WhatsApp Health-line launch, which was held at Malandela’s in Malkerns yesterday. The WhatsApp line is an information resource supported by USAID through the Eswatini Pact. It addresses myths and misconceptions on COVID-19 vaccines. By simply sending a ‘hi’ to 7943 6585, the line is automatically activated. The line was launched by Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi.

Misinformation

Dlamini said most people were exposed to misinformation on social media. He mentioned that there were untruths which were sold and people were ready to buy them. However, with the Ministry of Health line, the CEO expressed that locals now had access to credible information. He said he had met people who knew half a story so well but were clueless on the other 50 per cent, but thought they knew everything. “Social media is predicated on that I will give you half a credible story to reel you in and once you are inside then I will start lying. That’s where it’s at. They are prying on our ignorance,” said the CEO. Dlamini elaborated that there were a lot of lies disseminated on social media and they cost the lives of workers in organisations. “Businesses are shutting down and the fourth wave is looming. People should get onto the ship because the flood is coming,” he warned.

Dlamini congratulated the ministry on this milestone and said there were amazing discoveries that the country was making, which included the recent health-line app. He appreciated the launch of the app, which he said would now address many myths and misconceptions on the COVID-19 vaccines. Minister Nkosi said the app allowed for more efficient communication as the country had a target to vaccinate all eligible citizens to reach herd immunity. “It will play a pivotal role in demand creation. We are now also able to analyse data through the app so that we are aware of what to change and fix to meet the knowledge gap of our people,” Nkosi said. She appreciated the US Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), their implementing partners PACT & all partners who had financially and technically supported this innovative gesture.

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