Fearing mRNA - A mixed methods study of vaccine rumours

• There are well-spread ideas among vaccine-critical individuals around the world that “new” vaccines might be more dangerous to health than other, “traditional” vaccines, which can lead to vaccine hesitancy; the “delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination despite availability of vaccination services”. For example, a recurring remark made in social media is that mRNA technology resembles a chip that alters the human DNA, which might permanently and irreparably damage the immune system. These ideas sometimes take the shape of rumours and conspiracy theories. Drawing on rumour theories and social cognitive perspectives, the aim of this chapter is to account for the purpose and the spreading of medical rumours that encircle mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Our research questions are: How are rumours concerning mRNA expressed and established? In terms of trust and distrust, what function do the rumours have?

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Data- och informationsvetenskap -- Språkteknologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Computer and Information Sciences -- Language Technology (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Medie- och kommunikationsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Media and Communications (hsv//eng)

HUMANIORA  -- Annan humaniora -- Etnologi (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Other Humanities -- Ethnology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

vaccine rumours

vaccine hesitancy

conspiracy theories

rumour theories

trust and distrust

mRNA vaccines

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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