A group of researchers from the University of Kansas has published a study in the journal Psychology & Health in which they argue that selfies when vaccinated against COVID-19, when taken correctly, can be an effective and ethical way to combat the pandemic , misinformation and sharing positive experiences .
After all, humans are a naturally social species and tend to do what they observe that most others do.
Social contagion
Those who post selfies have several reasons for doing so: to indicate to others that they are vaccinated; invite loved ones and social contacts to meet again after pandemic-induced quarantines; encourage skeptics to get vaccinated and share their personal stories about the effects of the vaccine. To that end, the authors made several suggestions on how to share effective vaccine selfies, including a well-lit photo showing a person’s face and arm. Such a photo, accompanied by clear text indicating what dose of vaccine the person received, such as Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson, along with hashtags such as #IGotTheShot, #BeatTheVirus or #vaccineswork, can encourage other people who are hesitant to get vaccinated .
When you post your photo and people can see your face, it is a sign to your friends, family, social circle and people who trust you that you are vaccinated. Many times we have seen social media as a place where trends are set, especially with people who mimic behavior. It is very much like fashion. Everybody wants to have the latest. It doesn’t matter when you have it. People in many places around the world are still excited and posting these selfies. The conversation will be relevant for a long time.
The authors also cited research suggesting that sharing disease images can inadvertently strengthen associations of vaccines with disease . Humans are hardwired to respond to visual cues, so vaccine selfies that highlight health, joy, and optimism have the potential to positively shape public perception of COVID-19 vaccines. The study, they wrote, may also be the basis for more research on the role of vaccine selfies in health communications and public health efforts.