A team of researchers compared vaccine-related tweets from bots to those from average users between July 2014 and September 2017. To determine which Twitter accounts were likely bots, the researchers conducted a content analysis based on hashtags commonly tied to Russian trolls and compared proportions of polarized and antivaccine tweets across user types.
Although Russian-linked tweets only represented a small percentage of vaccine-related content on Twitter, the researchers noted Russian accounts showed particular interest in sowing divisions on the topic. Moreover, some of the tweets were sent from the Internet Research Agency, the Russian-backed company indicted by the special counsel for interfering in the election.
“Whereas bots that spread malware and unsolicited content disseminated antivaccine messages, Russian trolls promoted discord,” the researchers concluded. “Accounts masquerading as legitimate users create false equivalency, eroding public consensus on vaccination.”
Public health officials were surprised that Russia sought to disseminate false information about vaccines, according to the Politico Morning eHealth newsletter.
“I was surprised to see that the Russians felt we needed help stoking antivaccine fears,” Paul Offit, MD, a vaccine developer and pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, told Politico. “I thought we were doing that well enough on our own.”
More articles on clinical leadership & infection control:
Still no charges, arrests in NICU injuries case at Meriter
Cleveland Clinic surgeons perform face transplant on youngest US recipient
4 insights on the evolution of transgender healthcare
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
