Counterfeit vaccines in Indonesia: managing the issue through media
Journal of Communication Management
ISSN: 1363-254X
Article publication date: 5 October 2018
Issue publication date: 24 October 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze how media plays a role in the issue of counterfeit vaccines. Specifically, to describe how the government communicators manage issues of counterfeit vaccines in Indonesia. Even though a public health emergency situation is very hard to predict, monitoring issues in media is crucial before communicating with the public. This will help improve public trust on the importance of vaccines.
Design/methodology/approach
The study collected data from June until December 2016. The research method employed quantitative content analysis of data obtained from media monitoring and interviews.
Findings
The results show that the issue of fake vaccines received great attention from the media with a total of 1,724 news headlines on the topic. The government communicators were responsive in handling this issue by providing sources of information for key influencers when it arose. Since the majority of media sentiment was positive, the research also proposes a model for the future managing of issues on counterfeit vaccines.
Research limitations/implications
Limited to managing issues on media about counterfeit vaccines and how government communicators and stakeholders communicated during the crisis. It is suggested that future research should focus on the emotional perspective of parents whose children were affected by counterfeit vaccines.
Practical implications
This research is worthwhile for Public Relations Practitioners in government health institutions, such as the Ministry of Health, the National Agency for Food and Drugs Control and PR practitioners in Hospitals and Pharmacies to overcome another communication crisis in a public health emergency.
Social implications
To increase awareness in Indonesia about the importance of vaccines and to educate the public about using government vaccines without fear.
Originality/value
This research is new as the topic about counterfeit vaccines has not been brought up before. This has the potential to have a considerable impact to local communities, as well as a wider impact on global health systems.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The first author works for the vaccine manufacturer of Bio Farma, however, there is no conflict of interest. This research is a part of a doctoral project in Faculty of Communication Science, Universitas Padjadjaran-Indonesia, Health Communication Studies. The case study is a part of dissertation titled “Complexity of Health Communication, Vaccine Education in Indonesia.” This research did not receive any specific grants from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors. The researchers would like to express their gratitude to the reviewers.
Citation
Nurlaela Arief, N., Karlinah, S., Setianti, Y. and Susilawati, S. (2018), "Counterfeit vaccines in Indonesia: managing the issue through media", Journal of Communication Management, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 510-520. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCOM-09-2018-0081
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited