The effects of covid-19 pandemic on children’s antivaccination discourse in Facebook

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29397/reciis.v16i4.3404

Keywords:

Childhood vaccination, Discourse, Social media, Facebook, Covid-19

Abstract

This study analyzes how anti-covid-19-vaccination discourse has impacted childhood vaccination discourse on social media in Brazil and identifies the legitimation strategies and narratives employed. To this end, more than 260,000 Facebook (Meta) posts about childhood vaccination from 2019 to 2022 were analyzed, focusing on understanding: what discursive strategies were used to legitimize the anti-vaccine and pro-vac­cine discourse during this period, what main narratives were constructed, and how the covid-19 pandemic impacted this discussion. The results indicate a growth and polarization of the debate about childhood vaccination on social media, with the circulation of discourse propagating disinformation and conspiracy theories. In the context of the pandemic, it was observed that the anti-vaccine discourse progressed from its initial focus on the covid-19 vaccine to encompass childhood vaccination in general. These changes had an impact on the pro-vaccine discourse, which adapted in an attempt to take account of the claims raised by the anti-vaccination movement.

Author Biographies

Raquel Recuero, Federal University of Pelotas, Graduate Program in Letters. Pelotas, RS, Brazil. Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Graduate Program in Communication. Porto Alegre, RS

PhD in Communication and Information from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.

Taiane Volcan, Federal University of Pelotas, Graduate Program in Letters. Pelotas, RS

PhD in Letters from the Federal University of Pelotas.

Franceli Couto Jorge, Federal University of Pelotas, Graduate Program in Letters. Pelotas, RS

Master’s degree in Communication and Creative Industry from the Federal University of Pampa.

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Published

2022-12-23

How to Cite

Recuero, R., Volcan, T., & Jorge, F. C. (2022). The effects of covid-19 pandemic on children’s antivaccination discourse in Facebook. Revista Eletrônica De Comunicação, Informação & Inovação Em Saúde, 16(4), 859–882. https://doi.org/10.29397/reciis.v16i4.3404

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Vol. 16 No. 4 (2022): Dossiê Trabalho por Plataformas Digitais e Saúde

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