A Dangerous Infodemic: An Examination of the Impact Social Media Misinformation has on COVID-19 Vaccination Status

Abstract

The concept of misinformation is not new, but the digital age has created a new environment for the rapid spreading of misinformation. The overabundance of information that is available online has made it challenging for individuals to identify trustworthy and reliable sources. Social media in particular provides a global network connecting users, and the information there is created by the users themselves; therefore, it can be inaccurate and subjective. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, social media sites have acted as facilitators and multipliers of COVID-19-related misinformation. This misinformation can have a significant impact on global health by impacting individuals’ behaviors and has the potential to cause significant harm. In this paper, we explore how COVID-19 misinformation found via social media impacts individuals’ decisions to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The results from our study suggest that as one’s beliefs in misinformation and conspiracies related to COVID-19 increase, so does their decision to not obtain a vaccine.