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The American Academy of Pediatrics is looking for help to counter disinformation and misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine.
This month, a University of Pennsylvania survey blamed disinformation for the low vaccination rate (less than a third) for kids aged 5 to 11. That group has been approved for the shot since October 2021.
It cited disinformation such as the vaccine contains toxins, triggers autism and is more dangerous than the disease itself among reasons for the lackluster vaccination rate.
AAP recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all infants, children, and adolescents six months of age and older who do not have contraindications to receiving the shot that is approved for use for their age.
It wants proposals for a disinformation training program for AAP chapter leaders, staff, pediatrician influencers and other trusted messengers/partners to counter dis/mis-information that is spreading on social media.
The effort will pay special attention to caregivers with children under the age of five and people living in rural communities.
The communications goal is to “increase the capacity of pediatric health care clinicians, non‐clinical staff, and other stakeholders to share credible COVID‐19 vaccine information and respond to misinformation, including through culturally reaffirming strategies during individual clinical encounters, interactions with community members, and in news and social media,” according to the RFP.
Responses are due Oct. 28 at [email protected]
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