Original title: WHO against Filipce: Vaccination should not be mandatory
The portal makes a click-bait title by attributing an alleged position on mandatory vaccination to Minister Filipce, who is neither mentioned in the text of the article, nor expressed such a statement.
On December 7th, 2020, the Infomax portal published an article titled WHO against Filipce: Vaccination should not be mandatory. The content of the text states that the WHO has announced that vaccination against COVID-19 should not be mandatory, except in specific circumstances. According to Kate O’Brien, WHO’s director of immunization and vaccines, vaccination should not be mandatory, but there may be “certain situations in which vaccination would be necessary or highly recommended,” citing hospitals. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called on countries planning to start vaccinating in the coming weeks and months to primarily vaccinate those most in need (health workers who are most at risk of infection, and those most at risk) people suffering from severe diseases or in old age), because initially the quantities of vaccines will be limited. While according to Michael Ryan, director of emergency at the WHO, it is necessary to better explain the benefits of vaccines, instead of introducing mandatory vaccination.
The author of the text created a click-bate title directed against the Minister of Health, Venko Filipce, although in the content of the text the Minister is not mentioned in any context. The purpose of the title is to discredit Minister Filipce regarding the WHO recommendations for optional vaccination.
The public should know that neither the WHO is against Minister Filipce, nor Minister Filipce is against the WHO. Namely, on December 4th, the Minister stated that the vaccine against COVD-19 will not be mandatory and will be free for the citizens. When vaccinating, preference will be given to health professionals who are directly related to the treatment of patients with COVID-19 and those who take swabs, as well as people over 65, the chronically ill, i.e., people with respiratory, malignant, and cardiovascular diseases and transport employees.
In addition, all measures taken by the state stem from the global efforts to prevent the virus led by the WHO, so that in no case the strategy to combat COVID-19 in our country cannot be contrary to WHO recommendations.
This is an example of how a click-bait title manipulates the public about vaccination against COVID-19. Disinformation can only adversely affect the process of immunization of the population, which will be crucial in the next period for the fight against the virus.
