The Impact of COVID-19 Vaccine Myths and Conspiracy Theories on Vaccine Hesitancy and Vaccine Refusal in Turkey: Future Implications
Yazarlar (3)
Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Ayşe Gül PARLAK
Kafkas Üniversitesi, Türkiye
Doç. Dr. Gönül GÖKÇAY
Kafkas Üniversitesi, Türkiye
Yasemin Karacan
Yalova Üniversitesi, Türkiye
| Makale Türü |
Özgün Makale
(SSCI, AHCI, SCI, SCI-Exp dergilerinde yayınlanan tam makale)
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| Dergi Adı | PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING (Q3) | ||
| Dergi ISSN | 0737-1209 Wos Dergi Scopus Dergi | ||
| Dergi Tarandığı Indeksler | SSCI | ||
| Makale Dili | İngilizce | Basım Tarihi | 01-2026 |
| Cilt / Sayı / Sayfa | 43 / 1 / 91–106 | DOI | 10.1111/phn.70030 |
| Makale Linki | https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.70030 | ||
| Özet |
| Misinformation, conspiracy theories, and myths rapidly spreading through social media and various news outlets can play a significant role in the increase of community-based vaccine hesitancy and refusal. This study, conducted after the conclusion of COVID-19 vaccination efforts, aimed to determine the potential impact of circulating COVID-19 vaccine myths and conspiracy theories in various news sources on vaccine hesitancy and refusal in the Turkish society during a future pandemic. Descriptive cross-sectional study. In this study 1010 adult individuals responded to an online survey published on social media platforms between November 2023 and March 2024. Data were collected using a Socio-Demographic Information Form, the COVID-19 Vaccine Myths and Conspiracy Theories Survey in Turkey, and the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale in Pandemics. The study found that the mean total score of the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale in Pandemics was 31.54 ± 5.55. The most widely accepted vaccine myths and conspiracy theories among the Turkish population were, in order: "Vaccines are definitely not safe because they were developed too quickly," "vaccines are not safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women," and "vaccines have increased deaths due to heart attacks." The statement "microchips were implanted in people via vaccines" was the least accepted belief. Among those who believed that vaccines are not safe because they were developed too quickly, 63.9% reported that they would not get vaccinated in a new COVID-19 pandemic, and 50.2% stated that they would not get vaccinated in a pandemic caused by a different agent. The resurgence of anti-vaccine movements and misinformation following COVID-19 vaccinations, which has led to increased vaccine hesitancy and refusal, urgently necessitates that health policy makers develop strategies and that healthcare providers implement effective interventions promptly. |
| Anahtar Kelimeler |
| COVID-19 | nursing | pandemic | vaccine hesitancy | vaccine myths |
BM Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları
| Atıf Sayıları |