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Jessiman-Perreault G, Boucher JC, Kim SY, Frenette N, Badami A, Smith HM, Allen Scott LK. The Role of Scientific Research in Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Discussions on Twitter: Social Network Analysis. JMIR INFODEMIOLOGY 2024; 4:e50551. [PMID: 38722678 PMCID: PMC11117132 DOI: 10.2196/50551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attitudes toward the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and accuracy of information shared about this topic in web-based settings vary widely. As real-time, global exposure to web-based discourse about HPV immunization shapes the attitudes of people toward vaccination, the spread of misinformation and misrepresentation of scientific knowledge contribute to vaccine hesitancy. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to better understand the type and quality of scientific research shared on Twitter (recently rebranded as X) by vaccine-hesitant and vaccine-confident communities. METHODS To analyze the use of scientific research on social media, we collected tweets and retweets using a list of keywords associated with HPV and HPV vaccines using the Academic Research Product Track application programming interface from January 2019 to May 2021. From this data set, we identified tweets referring to or sharing scientific literature through a Boolean search for any tweets with embedded links, hashtags, or keywords associated with scientific papers. First, we used social network analysis to build a retweet or reply network to identify the clusters of users belonging to either the vaccine-confident or vaccine-hesitant communities. Second, we thematically assessed all shared papers based on typology of evidence. Finally, we compared the quality of research evidence and bibliometrics between the shared papers in the vaccine-confident and vaccine-hesitant communities. RESULTS We extracted 250 unique scientific papers (including peer-reviewed papers, preprints, and gray literature) from approximately 1 million English-language tweets. Social network maps were generated for the vaccine-confident and vaccine-hesitant communities sharing scientific research on Twitter. Vaccine-hesitant communities share fewer scientific papers; yet, these are more broadly disseminated despite being published in less prestigious journals compared to those shared by the vaccine-confident community. CONCLUSIONS Vaccine-hesitant communities have adopted communication tools traditionally wielded by health promotion communities. Vaccine-confident communities would benefit from a more cohesive communication strategy to communicate their messages more widely and effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - So Youn Kim
- School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Abbas Badami
- School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Henry M Smith
- School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Lisa K Allen Scott
- Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Dahan S, Shoenfeld Y. Letter to the editor - HPV vaccine and autoimmunity Incidence of new-onset autoimmune disease in girls and women with pre-existing autoimmune disease after quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccination: a cohort study. J Intern Med 2017; 281:313-315. [PMID: 27864851 DOI: 10.1111/joim.12575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S Dahan
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Y Shoenfeld
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
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Inbar R, Weiss R, Tomljenovic L, Arango MT, Deri Y, Shaw CA, Chapman J, Blank M, Shoenfeld Y. Behavioral abnormalities in female mice following administration of aluminum adjuvants and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil. Immunol Res 2016; 65:136-149. [DOI: 10.1007/s12026-016-8826-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Inbar R, Weiss R, Tomljenovic L, Arango MT, Deri Y, Shaw CA, Chapman J, Blank M, Shoenfeld Y. WITHDRAWN: Behavioral abnormalities in young female mice following administration of aluminum adjuvants and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil. Vaccine 2016:S0264-410X(16)00016-5. [PMID: 26778424 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.12.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This article has been withdrawn at the request of the Editor-in-Chief due to serious concerns regarding the scientific soundness of the article. Review by the Editor-in-Chief and evaluation by outside experts, confirmed that the methodology is seriously flawed, and the claims that the article makes are unjustified. As an international peer-reviewed journal we believe it is our duty to withdraw the article from further circulation, and to notify the community of this issue. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rotem Inbar
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 52621 Ramat Gan, Israel; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 52621 Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ronen Weiss
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Tel-Aviv, Israel; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Lucija Tomljenovic
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 52621 Ramat Gan, Israel; Neural Dynamics Research Group, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, 828 W. 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 1L8
| | - Maria-Teresa Arango
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 52621 Ramat Gan, Israel; Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota 111221, Colombia
| | - Yael Deri
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 52621 Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Christopher A Shaw
- Neural Dynamics Research Group, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, 828 W. 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 1L8
| | - Joab Chapman
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 52621 Ramat Gan, Israel; Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Tel-Aviv, Israel; Department of Neurology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 52621 Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Miri Blank
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 52621 Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 52621 Ramat Gan, Israel; Incumbent of the Laura Schwarz-Kip Chair for Research of Autoimmune Diseases, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Tel-Aviv, Israel.
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Tomljenovic L, Colafrancesco S, Perricone C, Shoenfeld Y. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia With Chronic Fatigue After HPV Vaccination as Part of the "Autoimmune/Auto-inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants": Case Report and Literature Review. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2014; 2:2324709614527812. [PMID: 26425598 PMCID: PMC4528866 DOI: 10.1177/2324709614527812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the case of a 14-year-old girl who developed postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) with chronic fatigue 2 months following Gardasil vaccination. The patient suffered from persistent headaches, dizziness, recurrent syncope, poor motor coordination, weakness, fatigue, myalgias, numbness, tachycardia, dyspnea, visual disturbances, phonophobia, cognitive impairment, insomnia, gastrointestinal disturbances, and a weight loss of 20 pounds. The psychiatric evaluation ruled out the possibility that her symptoms were psychogenic or related to anxiety disorders. Furthermore, the patient tested positive for ANA (1:1280), lupus anticoagulant, and antiphospholipid. On clinical examination she presented livedo reticularis and was diagnosed with Raynaud's syndrome. This case fulfills the criteria for the autoimmune/auto-inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA). Because human papillomavirus vaccination is universally recommended to teenagers and because POTS frequently results in long-term disabilities (as was the case in our patient), a thorough follow-up of patients who present with relevant complaints after vaccination is strongly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucija Tomljenovic
- Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel ; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Serena Colafrancesco
- Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel ; Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Perricone
- Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel ; Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel ; Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Colafrancesco S, Perricone C, Tomljenovic L, Shoenfeld Y. Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine and Primary Ovarian Failure: Another Facet of the Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants. Am J Reprod Immunol 2013; 70:309-16. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.12151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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Human papillomavirus vaccine and systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Rheumatol 2013; 32:1301-7. [PMID: 23624585 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-013-2266-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Revised: 03/28/2013] [Accepted: 04/14/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and autoimmune manifestations compatible with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or SLE-like disease, the medical history of six women who presented with SLE or SLE-like disease following HPV immunization was collected. Data regarding type of vaccine, number of immunization, family and personal, clinical and serological features, as well as response to treatments were analyzed. In the reported cases, several common features were observed, such as personal or familial susceptibility to autoimmunity or adverse response to a prior dose of the vaccine, both of which may be associated with a higher risk of post-vaccination autoimmunity. Favorable response to immunosuppressant was observed in all patients. In the current study, a temporal association between immunization with HPV vaccine and the appearance of a spectrum of SLE-like conditions is reported. Additionally, among the patients described, several common features were observed that may enable better identification of subjects at risk. Further studies are required to assess the safety of immunization with the HPV vaccine in patients with autoimmune-rheumatic diseases or in subject at risk of autoimmunity as well as the potential beneficial effect of preventive immunosuppressants.
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Tomljenovic L, Wilyman J, Vanamee E, Bark T, Shaw CA. HPV vaccines and cancer prevention, science versus activism. Infect Agent Cancer 2013; 8:6. [PMID: 23369430 PMCID: PMC3565961 DOI: 10.1186/1750-9378-8-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The rationale behind current worldwide human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination programs starts from two basic premises, 1) that HPV vaccines will prevent cervical cancers and save lives and, 2) have no risk of serious side effects. Therefore, efforts should be made to get as many pre-adolescent girls vaccinated in order to decrease the burden of cervical cancer. Careful analysis of HPV vaccine pre- and post-licensure data shows however that both of these premises are at odds with factual evidence and are largely derived from significant misinterpretation of available data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucija Tomljenovic
- Neural Dynamics Research Group, Vancouver General Hospital Research Pavilion, University of British Columbia, 828 W, 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L8, Canada.
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Tomljenovic L, Shaw CA. Who profits from uncritical acceptance of biased estimates of vaccine efficacy and safety? Am J Public Health 2012; 102:e13-4. [PMID: 22813421 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2012.300837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Tomljenovic L, Shaw CA. Too fast or not too fast: the FDA's approval of Merck's HPV vaccine Gardasil. THE JOURNAL OF LAW, MEDICINE & ETHICS : A JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LAW, MEDICINE & ETHICS 2012; 40:673-81. [PMID: 23061593 DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-720x.2012.00698.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
There are not many public health issues where views are as extremely polarized as those concerning vaccines, and Merck's HPV vaccine Gardasil is a case in point. Ever since gaining the FDA's approval in 2006, Merck has been heavily criticized for their overly aggressive marketing strategies and lobbying campaigns aimed at promoting Gardasil as a mandatory vaccine. Subsequently, questions have been raised as to whether it was appropriate for vaccine manufacturers to partake in public health policies when their conflicts of interests are so obvious. Some of their advertising campaign slogans, such as "cervical cancer kills x women per year" and "your daughter could become one less life affected by cervical cancer," seemed more designed to promote fear rather than evidence-based decision making about the potential benefits of the vaccine. Although, conflicts of interests do not necessarily mean that the product itself is faulty, marketing claims should be carefully examined against factual science data. Currently Gardasil vaccination is strongly recommended by the U.S. and other health authorities while public concerns about safety and efficacy of the vaccine appear to be increasing. This discrepancy leads to some important questions that need to be resolved. The current review examines key issues of this debate in light of currently available research evidence.
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