US confesses it spread false information regarding Covid vaccine
Date
7/28/2024 7:09:39 AM
(MENAFN) The United States military has publicly acknowledged running a covert campaign aimed at undermining confidence in China's Sinovac vaccine across Asia and the Middle East, Reuters reports. In a letter dated June 25, Pentagon officials admitted to engaging in messaging efforts in the Philippines that questioned the safety and efficacy of the Sinovac vaccine.
The admission comes after revelations of a sophisticated information operation initiated in 2020, following China's announcement of free Sinovac vaccine distributions in the Philippines. The Pentagon's psychological operations center in Florida was reportedly tasked with creating over 300 fake social media profiles to disparage the Chinese vaccine, according to a Reuters investigation last month.
Military personnel involved in the operation allegedly crafted posts such as "COVID came from China and the VACCINE also came from China, don’t trust China!" and "From China – PPE, Face Mask, Vaccine: FAKE. But the Coronavirus is real." These efforts were designed not to safeguard public health but rather to tarnish China's reputation, a senior officer disclosed to Reuters.
While acknowledging "missteps" in their COVID-related messaging, Pentagon officials assured their Filipino counterparts that the operation had ceased by late 2021. They also emphasized improvements in oversight and accountability of information operations since then.
The revelation has sparked international scrutiny and raised questions about the ethical implications of using misinformation as a tool of statecraft. Critics argue that such actions not only undermine global health efforts but also erode trust in public health initiatives and exacerbate geopolitical tensions.
Moving forward, the Pentagon has pledged to enhance transparency and adhere to stricter guidelines in its information operations, aiming to restore confidence in its global communications strategies while navigating the complexities of international relations and public health diplomacy.
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