Official statements or reports from US government agencies or the Pentagon

US Military Ran Secret Anti-Vax Campaign to Discredit China's Sinovac Vaccine, Targeting Filipino Public Under Trump

Jun 14, 2024, 12:29 PM

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. military launched a clandestine propaganda operation to counter China's growing influence in Southeast Asia. The operation aimed to discredit China's Sinovac vaccine, sowing doubt about its safety and efficacy. This campaign, initiated under Donald Trump, was reportedly a response to Beijing's efforts to blame Washington for the pandemic. One of the primary targets of this operation was the Filipino public. Health experts have criticized the U.S. military's actions, stating that the campaign was indefensible and put innocent lives at risk. The Pentagon's efforts included using phony internet accounts to impersonate Filipinos and spread anti-vaccine sentiment. Reuters uncovered that at least 300 accounts on X, formerly Twitter, matched descriptions shared by former U.S. military officials familiar with the operation. More details can be found on the Reuters World News podcast.