Author: Sylvia Makinia

An increase in COVID-19 vaccine conspiracies is causing many Kenyans to forego vaccinations. Kenya has vaccinated only a tiny fraction of its populations, more than one million people have received COVID-19 vaccines. As of 16 June, 991,184 people had received their first dose, while 164,561 were fully vaccinated.  Though the rate of new COVID-19 infections is declining in some regions, misinformation from anti-vaccination campaigners continues to spread and gain more traction online. Some of the reasons for vaccine hesitancy include: an underlying distrust of government; questions about whether the vaccines are effective; wild conspiracy theories and myths; and people are…

The claim that Remdesivir is a coronavirus vaccine produced to be tested in African countries is false. Since September 2020, some social media users have been sharing posts showing medication with a label that reads “Not for distribution in the United States, Canada and the European Union.”  Many have claimed that this label on the images is proof that the global North is testing vaccines against Covid-19 in the developing world. The photo started circulating on social media in several countries in Africa. “Wake up Afrika, this is not a cure but a trap to kill you or use you…