THE INFO-DEMIC

In March, as New Zealand’s public health apparatus was gearing up for the largest inoculation drive in modern memory, the popular Chinese-language media website SkyKiwi published an article describing the experiences of a Chinese New Zealander working in the border control sector, identified only as Jason. Although border workers are among those with the highest risk of catching Covid, Jason explained that he had initially been hesitant to be vaccinated, out of misguided concerns that a “vaccine developed by Europeans and Americans” could have “an adverse effect on Chinese people” due to physical differences. His experience seemed to confirm his fears. Jason told SkyKiwi that after getting the Pfizer BioNTech jab, he and “90 per cent” of his colleagues had suffered nasty side effects. They included thirst, headaches and a soreness that was “so painful that you can’t even lift your arm”.

While a minority of vaccine recipients experience fever or fatigue, there have been no reports of multiple MIQ workers suffering serious complications all at once. And there is no evidence that the Pfizer vaccine — or any other Covid vaccine — has adverse effects on recipients according to their ethnic background. But perhaps most significant was the article’s claim that “many Chinese people are hesitant about vaccines” and that “60% would prefer the Chinese vaccine” — which is not available in New Zealand.

This story is one of many in New Zealand’s Chinese-language press this year containing alarming or misleading information about western-developed vaccines. Often, the messaging is closely aligned with a global campaign by the Chinese government to discredit these brands. It is