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COVID-19, Fake News, and Vaccines: Should Regulation Be Implemented?

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  • Julio Emilio Marco-Franco

    (Research Centre for Economics Engineering, Polytechnic University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
    Doctoral Programme of Rule of Law and Global Governance, Faculty of Law, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
    Nova School of Business and Economics, Nova University, 2775-405 Carcavelos, Portugal)

  • Pedro Pita-Barros

    (Nova School of Business and Economics, Nova University, 2775-405 Carcavelos, Portugal)

  • David Vivas-Orts

    (Faculty of Law, University Pompeu Fabra, 08024 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Silvia González-de-Julián

    (Research Centre for Economics Engineering, Polytechnic University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain)

  • David Vivas-Consuelo

    (Research Centre for Economics Engineering, Polytechnic University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain)

Abstract

We analysed issues concerning the establishment of compulsory vaccination against COVID-19, as well as the role of misinformation as a disincentive—especially when published by health professionals—and citizen acceptance of measures in this regard. Data from different surveys revealed a high degree of hesitation rather than outright opposition to vaccines. The most frequent complaint related to the COVID-19 vaccination was the fear of side effects. Within the Spanish and European legislative framework, both compulsory vaccination and government regulation of FN (Fake News) appear to be feasible options, counting on sufficient legal support, which could be reinforced by additional amendment. However, following current trends of good governance, policymakers must have public legitimation. Rather than compulsory COVID-19 vaccination, an approach based on education and truthful information, persuading the population of the benefits of a vaccine on a voluntary basis, is recommended. Disagreements between health professionals are positive, but they should be resolved following good practice and the procedures of the code of ethics. Furthermore, citizens do not support the involvement of government authorities in the direct control of news. Collaboration with the media and other organizations should be used instead.

Suggested Citation

  • Julio Emilio Marco-Franco & Pedro Pita-Barros & David Vivas-Orts & Silvia González-de-Julián & David Vivas-Consuelo, 2021. "COVID-19, Fake News, and Vaccines: Should Regulation Be Implemented?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:2:p:744-:d:481655
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Malik Sallam & Deema Dababseh & Huda Eid & Hanan Hasan & Duaa Taim & Kholoud Al-Mahzoum & Ayat Al-Haidar & Alaa Yaseen & Nidaa A. Ababneh & Areej Assaf & Faris G. Bakri & Suzan Matar & Azmi Mahafzah, 2021. "Low COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Is Correlated with Conspiracy Beliefs among University Students in Jordan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-13, March.
    2. Phil-Adrian Klotz, 2022. "Leadership communication and COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy," French Stata Users' Group Meetings 2022 26, Stata Users Group.
    3. Joon Woo Yoo & Junsung Park & Jong Ho Lee & Heejun Park, 2022. "Recovering from the COVID-19 shock: the role of risk perception and perceived effectiveness of protective measures on travel intention during the pandemic," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 16(3), pages 557-580, September.
    4. Sergio Segado-Fernández & María del Carmen Lozano-Estevan & Beatriz Jiménez-Gómez & Carlos Ruiz-Núñez & Pedro Jesús Jiménez Hidalgo & Invención Fernández-Quijano & Liliana González-Rodríguez & Azucena, 2022. "Health Literacy and Critical Lecture as Key Elements to Detect and Reply to Nutrition Misinformation on Social Media: Analysis between Spanish Healthcare Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Klotz, Phil-Adrian, 2022. "Leadership Communication and COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy," VfS Annual Conference 2022 (Basel): Big Data in Economics 264050, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    6. Xia, Huosong & Wang, Yuan & Zhang, Justin Zuopeng & Zheng, Leven J. & Kamal, Muhammad Mustafa & Arya, Varsha, 2023. "COVID-19 fake news detection: A hybrid CNN-BiLSTM-AM model," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    7. Zaman, Mustafeed & Vo-Thanh, Tan & Nguyen, Chi T.K. & Hasan, Rajibul & Akter, Shahriar & Mariani, Marcello & Hikkerova, Lubica, 2023. "Motives for posting fake reviews: Evidence from a cross-cultural comparison," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).

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