Understanding HIV Vaccine Misinformation and Vaccine Intentions Among Young Women in South Africa: Insights from an Online Survey

An effective HIV vaccine could significantly reduce HIV incidence, but demand for future HIV vaccines will be affected by misinformation. We conducted an online survey (March-April 2024) to identify the misinformation claims most likely to deter young women in South Africa (n = 188) from receiving an HIV vaccine. Participants rated HIV-vaccine misinformation as most concerning (i.e. would make them not want to get vaccinated) and least concerning (i.e. would not change a decision to get vaccinated). From 54 misinformation claims found in peer-reviewed and grey literature (e.g., reports), participants viewed two sets of 9 randomly chosen claims. Within each set, they selected the 3 most concerning and 3 least concerning claims. Claims were ranked according to their likelihood of being selected as most or least concerning. Misinformation claims that were rated as most concerning were about HIV vaccine safety, particularly those suggesting severe adverse health effects (e.g. the vaccine "will kill you", selected 85% of times viewed). Also rated as concerning were claims that the vaccine was created to harm certain populations (e.g., "designed to sterilise Black women", 60% selected); that the vaccine increases rape and pregnancies (51% selected); and gives you HIV (50% selected). The least concerning misinformation related to the themes of stigma, vaccine efficacy, and the availability of other HIV prevention options. Misinformation that the HIV vaccine causes harm, increases risky behaviour, and gives recipients HIV may have the greatest impact on vaccination intentions. Research is needed to design and test interventions that build resistance to such misinformation.