Applications of Social Media and Digital Technologies in COVID-19 Vaccination: Scoping Review

Abstract

Background Social media and digital technologies have played essential roles in disseminating information and promoting vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a need to summarize the applications and analytical techniques of social media and digital technologies in monitoring vaccine attitudes and administering COVID-19 vaccines. Objective We aimed to synthesize the global evidence on the applications of social media and digital technologies in COVID-19 vaccination and to explore their avenues to promote COVID-19 vaccination. Methods We searched 6 databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, and IEEE Xplore) for English-language articles from December 2019 to August 2022. The search terms covered keywords relating to social media, digital technology, and COVID-19 vaccines. Articles were included if they provided original descriptions of applications of social media or digital health technologies/solutions in COVID-19 vaccination. Conference abstracts, editorials, letters, commentaries, correspondence articles, study protocols, and reviews were excluded. A modified version of the Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS tool) was used to evaluate the quality of social media–related studies. The review was undertaken with the guidance of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Results A total of 178 articles were included in our review, including 114 social media articles and 64 digital technology articles. Social media has been applied for sentiment/emotion analysis, topic analysis, behavioral analysis, dissemination and engagement analysis, and information quality analysis around COVID-19 vaccination. Of these, sentiment analysis and topic analysis were the most common, with social media data being primarily analyzed by lexicon-based and machine learning techniques. The accuracy and reliability of information on social media can seriously affect public attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines, and misinformation often leads to vaccine hesitancy. Digital technologies have been applied to determine the COVID-19 vaccination strategy, predict the vaccination process, optimize vaccine distribution and delivery, provide safe and transparent vaccination certificates, and perform postvaccination surveillance. The applied digital technologies included algorithms, blockchain, mobile health, the Internet of Things, and other technologies, although with some barriers to their popularization. Conclusions The applications of social media and digital technologies in addressing COVID-19 vaccination–related issues represent an irreversible trend. Attention should be paid to the ethical issues and health inequities arising from the digital divide while applying and promoting these technologies.

COVID-19 information seeking and individuals’ protective behaviors: examining the role of information sources and information content

“…Given the substantial relevance of digital technologies-based media in the time of COVID-19 pandemic [ 56 ], this study showed a significant relationship between seeking information from social live streaming services and online news media and individuals’ preventive behaviors [ 22 , 41 ]. However, differing from previous studies [ 21 – 24 ], this study found that social media was not significantly associated with individuals’ preventive behaviors.…”

Deep Learning Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Confidence Expressed on Twitter in 6 High-Income Countries: Longitudinal Observational Study

“…It may also stem from gaps between the general population and Twitter users. Vocal antivaccine groups on Twitter might have formed a tight-knit circle, continuously congregating and reinforcing their messages, which could be a significant factor in the perceived decline in vaccine acceptance observed in our data set [ 55 ].…”

Sources of Information about COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Its Associations with Parental Motivation to Have Their Children Vaccinated in Taiwan

“…During the pandemic, social media was a key source of information on COVID-19 and its vaccines. However, misinformation pertaining to COVID-19 vaccines is prevalent in social media, and it can increase the risk of vaccine hesitancy [ 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Thus, helping parents avoid being deceived by false messages from acquaintances on social media is crucial.…”

“…Another study discovered that among Polish parents, the media (e.g., the Internet and television) were the main sources of information on pediatric COVID-19 vaccines [ 36 ]. However, misinformation regarding COVID-19 vaccines is prevalent [ 37 ], especially on social media [ 38 , 39 , 40 ]. The spread of misinformation on COVID-19 vaccines, such as that pertaining to the development and safety of these vaccines, on social media results in hesitancy [ 38 , 40 ].…”

“…However, misinformation regarding COVID-19 vaccines is prevalent [ 37 ], especially on social media [ 38 , 39 , 40 ]. The spread of misinformation on COVID-19 vaccines, such as that pertaining to the development and safety of these vaccines, on social media results in hesitancy [ 38 , 40 ].…”