[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "If you get vaccinated, you will die in two years.", "It is a government plan to reduce the population.", "Anyone who gets vaccinated will be cursed by the devil."
These are rumors related to the COVID-19 vaccine spreading mainly in an indigenous village in Mexico. As such misinformation spreads, the number of residents refusing vaccination is increasing.
According to foreign media including the British BBC on the 21st (local time), in an indigenous village in Chiapas, southeastern Mexico, false information about the vaccine is spreading, leading to an increase in those refusing vaccination. While over 30% of people in Mexico have received at least one dose of the vaccine, the vaccination rate in the indigenous village is less than 2% due to these rumors.
Even the President of Mexico is trying to increase the vaccination rate in this area, but it is reported that a significant number of residents fully believe the vaccine-related rumors.
Pasquala Vasquez Aguilar, the health official of the indigenous village, pointed out, "False information about the vaccine exists everywhere, but here it exerts a stronger influence," adding, "This is because the people do not trust the government."
Due to the regional characteristics, the COVID-19 situation has not yet spread widely, but Pasquala is concerned about the possibility of infection occurring anytime and anywhere.
Meanwhile, Lisa Menning, a social scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasized, "In places where there is a lack of trust in science or government, misinformation spreads more easily," and added, "The government must listen to these communities, cooperate with them, and make efforts to expand healthcare personnel and facilities."
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