BMJ Glob Health October 2020 PMID 33097547

Social media and vaccine hesitancy.

Steven Lloyd Wilson, Charles Wiysonge

Mentions

175
Peak: 19 in Nov 2025
across 7 sources since Dec 2020

Extended reach

186,293
potential audience

Total likes

117

Video views

462

Mentions per month

Dec 2020 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News126 articles
  • X / Twitter23 posts
  • Blogs9 articles
  • YouTube6 videos
  • Reddit5 posts
  • Bluesky3 posts
  • Facebook3 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions emphasize the role of foreign disinformation campaigns, with posts citing studies on declining vaccination rates and referencing scientific investigations into anti-vax influencers, demonstrating deep engagement and concern about the societal impact of these online dynamics. The tone combines analytical references and personal pride, reflecting both awareness and perceived importance of addressing these issues.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the link between foreign disinformation campaigns and increased vaccine hesitancy, supporting the article's findings.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show strong interest, referencing scientific studies, articles, and personal projects related to social media and vaccine attitudes.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts include mentions of specific research, articles, and personal reflections, indicating active engagement with the topic.

ImpactHigh impact

The collective tone suggests the discussions recognize the significant influence of social media and foreign actors on vaccine perceptions, highlighting real-world implications.

Abstract in brief

  • The study shows that social media use for organizing offline vaccination-related actions is strongly linked to increased beliefs that vaccines are unsafe.
  • Foreign disinformation campaigns on social media significantly decrease vaccination rates, with a 1-point rise in disinformation scores causing about a 2% drop in coverage annually.
  • Overall, both online anti-vaccine discourse and foreign disinformation efforts contribute to negative attitudes toward vaccines and lower vaccination uptake worldwide.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Timothy Caulfield
@caulfieldtim.bsky.social · Bluesky

Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitancy gh.bmj.com/content/5/10... "...a substantial relationship between foreign disinformation campaigns and declining vaccination coverage."

Nov 13, 2025 · 53 likes · 30 shares View post →
Timothy Caulfield
@CaulfieldTim · X

Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitancy https://t.co/xgsmvwCmTD "...a substantial relationship between foreign disinformation campaigns and declining vaccination coverage."

Nov 13, 2025 · 34 likes · 17 shares · 88,305 followers View post →
Prof Sheena Cruickshank
@sheencr.bsky.social · Bluesky

Super proud of Becky who worked with me for her final year project here working with fab immunology PhD student Erin to write about social media and vaccine hesitancy

May 15, 2024 · 14 likes View post →
Dr. Ruth Carlitz
@ruthcarlitz · X

@ZoeMcLaren maybe not exactly what you're looking for but @slloydwilson and @CharlesShey have a fantastic article on vax hesitancy and social media: https://t.co/rJwBhHwO1z

Dec 29, 2021 · 2 likes · 1,275 followers View post →
geellint
@8cijfers · X

@AnnaArendt123 @AlmaTostmann @CarlaPeeters3 Negatieve rol van anti-vax influencers via social media op vaccinatiebereidheid was al voor het coronatijdperk onderwerp van diverse wetenschappelijke onderzoeken. https://t.co/J1yQoiTVcU

May 28, 2024 · 1 like · 80 followers View post →
Isatou Sarr
@IsatouSarr4 · X

Social media and vaccine hesitancy https://t.co/4UBwU5Ka2B

Jul 5, 2021 · 1 like · 35 followers View post →

All mentions

Nina Reizi 
@ninarei · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 14, 2025 · 17 shares · 4,618 followers View post →
KSP_Libs
@KSP_Libs · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 14, 2025 · 17 shares · 4,110 followers View post →
GeminiGemma9
@LittleLamb9 · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 13, 2025 · 17 shares · 2,835 followers View post →
The Westdaler
@mywestdale · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 13, 2025 · 17 shares · 2,842 followers View post →
K. R. Wilson
@krwbooks · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 13, 2025 · 17 shares · 270 followers View post →
Frank Graves
@VoiceOfFranky · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 13, 2025 · 17 shares · 37,790 followers View post →
Jackie Seidel, PhD
@JackieSeidel1 · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 13, 2025 · 17 shares · 4,393 followers View post →
Joe Harbison MD
@2013_Sylvius · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 13, 2025 · 17 shares · 2,527 followers View post →
Brian Freed
@BrianFreed1 · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 13, 2025 · 17 shares · 13,626 followers View post →
Brian Wirzba
@Bjwrz · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 13, 2025 · 17 shares · 770 followers View post →
Grumpy Nubbs
@GrumpyNubbs · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 13, 2025 · 17 shares · 510 followers View post →
NastyElbows UpCanadian.bsky.social
@dianneathome · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 13, 2025 · 17 shares · 3,157 followers View post →
Lori King
@1loriking · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 13, 2025 · 17 shares · 5,819 followers View post →
Liz D
@1lizard · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 13, 2025 · 17 shares · 1,122 followers View post →
John Dowe
@SmashLeftjaw · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 13, 2025 · 17 shares · 21 followers View post →
Kathryn Mathias
@KathrynMathias1 · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 13, 2025 · 17 shares · 6,178 followers View post →
Greg O'Brien
@gregobr · X

RT @CaulfieldTim: Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitan…

Nov 13, 2025 · 17 shares · 4,700 followers View post →
Timothy Caulfield
@caulfieldtim.bsky.social · Bluesky

Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitancy gh.bmj.com/content/5/10... "...a substantial relationship between foreign disinformation campaigns and declining vaccination coverage."

Nov 13, 2025 · 53 likes · 30 shares View post →
Timothy Caulfield
@CaulfieldTim · X

Important to remember the power of foreign state actors in shaping vaccine hesitancy... Social media and vaccine hesitancy https://t.co/xgsmvwCmTD "...a substantial relationship between foreign disinformation campaigns and declining vaccination coverage."

Nov 13, 2025 · 34 likes · 17 shares · 88,305 followers View post →
Hopey
@hopeychangey.bsky.social · Bluesky

Ack! I do know what you’re talking about but can’t remember where I heard it first! I did find a ton of articles about the link between social media and vaccine hesitancy/refusal

Feb 27, 2025 · 1 like View post →
geellint
@8cijfers · X

@AnnaArendt123 @AlmaTostmann @CarlaPeeters3 Negatieve rol van anti-vax influencers via social media op vaccinatiebereidheid was al voor het coronatijdperk onderwerp van diverse wetenschappelijke onderzoeken. https://t.co/J1yQoiTVcU

May 28, 2024 · 1 like · 80 followers View post →
Prof Sheena Cruickshank
@sheencr.bsky.social · Bluesky

Super proud of Becky who worked with me for her final year project here working with fab immunology PhD student Erin to write about social media and vaccine hesitancy

May 15, 2024 · 14 likes View post →
geellint
@8cijfers · X

@PGoldschmeding @RoelsMaarten @Nature Social media and vaccine hesitancy https://t.co/YWRy2H619f

Apr 9, 2024 · 80 followers View post →
Dr. Ruth Carlitz
@ruthcarlitz · X

@ZoeMcLaren maybe not exactly what you're looking for but @slloydwilson and @CharlesShey have a fantastic article on vax hesitancy and social media: https://t.co/rJwBhHwO1z

Dec 29, 2021 · 2 likes · 1,275 followers View post →
Isatou Sarr
@IsatouSarr4 · X

Social media and vaccine hesitancy https://t.co/4UBwU5Ka2B

Jul 5, 2021 · 1 like · 35 followers View post →
Axiomedix_PM
@axiomedix · X

Social media and vaccine hesitancy. @BrandeisU https://t.co/7BmEwZYjSb https://t.co/4mECTDQro4

Dec 1, 2020 · 98 followers View post →