YouTube and COVID-19 vaccines: A mini scoping review

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2023 Dec 31;19(1):2202091. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2202091. Epub 2023 Apr 27.

Abstract

YouTube is a highly popular social media platform capable of widespread information dissemination about COVID-19 vaccines. The aim of this mini scoping review was to summarize the content, quality, and methodology of studies that analyze YouTube videos related to COVID-19 vaccines. COVIDENCE was used to screen search results based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. PRISMA was used for data organization, and the final list of 9 articles used in the mini review were summarized and synthesized. YouTube videos included in each study, total number of cumulative views, results, and limitations were described. Overall, most of the videos were uploaded by television and internet news media and healthcare professionals. A variety of coding schemas were used in the studies. Videos with misleading, inaccurate, or anti-vaccination sentiment were more often uploaded by consumers. Officials seeking to encourage vaccination may utilize YouTube for widespread reach and to debunk misinformation and disinformation.

Keywords: COVID-19; YouTube; immunization; scoping review; vaccination.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Communication
  • Humans
  • Information Dissemination / methods
  • Social Media*

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines

Grants and funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.