TY  - JOUR
AB  - 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.
VL  - 22
IS  - 4
SN  - 1363-254X
DO  - 10.1108/JCOM-09-2018-0081
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/JCOM-09-2018-0081
AU  - Nurlaela Arief N.
AU  - Karlinah Siti
AU  - Setianti Yanti
AU  - Susilawati Sri
PY  - 2018
Y1  - 2018/01/01
TI  - Counterfeit vaccines in Indonesia: managing the issue through media
T2  - Journal of Communication Management
PB  - Emerald Publishing Limited
SP  - 510
EP  - 520
Y2  - 2024/04/25
ER  -