Misinformation on social media causes confusion, says Health CEO - Matangi Tonga

By Eleanor Gee

The COVID-19 vaccination will not turn people into zombies, change their DNA or put magnets into their arms. “I hope people will take note that some information circulating is just ridiculous,” said Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau‘ola yesterday.

He talked about the vaccine and hoped that Tongans will reject the unfounded misinformation some of them were being led to believe.

“The problem is lots of misinformation on social media causes people to be confused,” he said.

Dr ‘Akau‘ola said he had noticed some pastors spreading the misinformation they found on the internet on social media.

“I saw it and I was surprised people believe it!”

People need to think about it

One misinformation he viewed involved someone placing a magnet on their vaccinated arm and attributing that to a chip in the vaccine.

“I just think who would believe this information? People need to think about it: how can a magnet stick to something that doesn’t contain metal?”

Dr ‘Akau’ola said some people are convinced mRNA vaccines will alter their DNA but "according to science, this is impossible".

“There is no vaccine that will alter DNA. Maybe people think the RNA is the DNA. But the DNA is in the nucleus. The mRNA passes the message to make the protein. The mRNA will not go into the DNA. They have different natural roles."

Vaccine not new

With regards to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, Dr ‘Akau’ola explained it was not something that was quickly created in one year.

“The vehicle to...



Read Full Story: https://matangitonga.to/2021/09/02/misinformation-social-media-causes-confusion-says-health-ceo

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