Principle 8: Busting myths can backfire

Combating myths around vaccination must be approached carefully, as myth correction can backfire (1). Repeating the myth can make it more familiar and believable. One study found that among those parents with the least favourable attitudes towards vaccines, messages to correct the myth that vaccines cause autism resulted in a decrease in parents’ reported likelihood of vaccinating their next child (2).

However, emerging evidence suggests that people can be inoculated against misinformation by either debunking or prebunking. 

Sources:

(1) Nyhan B, Reifler J. Does correcting myths about the flu vaccine work? An experimental evaluation of the effects of corrective information. Vaccine. 2015;33(3):459-464. & Lewandowsky S, Ecker UK, Seifert CM, Schwarz N, Cook J. Misinformation and Its Correction: Continued Influence and Successful Debiasing. Psychol Sci Public Interest. 2012;13(3):106-31.

(2) Nyhan B, Reifler J. Does correcting myths about the flu vaccine work? An experimental evaluation of the effects of corrective information. Vaccine. 2015;33(3):459-464.