Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Health Ministry’s spokesperson for COVID-19 Siti Nadia Tarmizi affirmed that the spread of hoaxes and misinformation on vaccination and COVID-19 posed the biggest challenge for the vaccination program’s acceleration, education, and socialization.

“The number of hoaxes and misinformation also continued to increase along with the amount of information we convey. Currently, 1,300 pieces of false information on vaccines are in circulation,” Tarmizi noted during an online press conference on Monday.

The spokesperson deems it important for the public to become more critical and observant in receiving and disseminating the information they receive.

“This is the main challenge to ensure that the people check the validity of the news first,” she stated.

Tarmizi remarked that the false narratives were mostly regarding the side effects of vaccination.  “For instance, the information says that the recipient can die, become paralyzed, or be implanted with a chip after getting vaccinated,” she revealed.

“Meanwhile, the misinformation about COVID-19 was usually that canned milk, coconut water, and eucalyptus oil can cure COVID-19, whereas another hoax misguides people that they do not need any mask,” Tarmizi stated.

Such misinformation can raise doubts about vaccination.

“The hoaxes make people hesitant, as they do not know whom to ask since socialization had not been conducted,” she explained.  “For instance, the information says that the recipient can die, become paralyzed, or be implanted with a chip after getting vaccinated,” she revealed.

“Meanwhile, the misinformation about COVID-19 was usually that canned milk, coconut water, and eucalyptus oil can cure COVID-19, whereas another hoax misguides people that they do not need any mask,” Tarmizi stated.

Such misinformation can raise doubts about vaccination.

“The hoaxes make people hesitant, as they do not know whom to ask since socialization had not been conducted,” she explained.

Source: Antara News