NEW MEDIA ANALYSIS REVEALS WHO’S CAUSING THE ANTI-VACCINATION INFODEMIC

A new social media analysis conducted by media intelligence firm Commetric sheds light on the impact COVID-19 has had on the spread of anti-vaccination conspiracy theories online.

Some of the main findings include:

· Most users consumed vaccination content via videos rather than via media outlets, with the most popular YouTube channels spreading conspiracy claims.

· Some of the top trending videos on Facebook were several years old and promoted long-standing conspiracy theories.

· Much of the conspiratorial thinking was stirred up by Plandemic, a video featuring prominent anti-vaccine activist Judy Mikovits, and by the ever-popular narrative that Bill Gates created the virus to sell vaccines.

· The most influential anti-vaxxers on Twitter created an echo chamber populated by users describing themselves as Christians, conservatives, and Trump supporters.

· Far-right conspiracy proponents have evolved in their messaging: they have started to oppose calls for mandatory vaccination with a “pro-choice” stance, often treating vaccine resistance as a political campaign.