ABSTRACT
Swedes are generally trusting of both government and each other, and are happy to count on government to provide the service and support needed to live a life where there is no need to rely on another person. Despite all the uncertainties coupled with the pandemic, and eventually the COVID-19 vaccine, Swedes remained trusting, and a vast majority accepted the vaccine. This chapter aims to examine what happens when a seemingly robust barrier against the many challenges connected with the vaccine roll-out, fuelled by false and misleading information circulating about the vaccine online, is put to the test. It does so by studying online conversations relating to the vaccine among local public radio listeners on Facebook. The chapter concludes that while the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out posed a challenge to interaction among users, extreme content was rare. By documenting engagement with those who did express hesitation and outright opposition to the vaccine, it furthermore concludes that civil discussions, marked by appeals to rational thinking and helping each other out in a time of crisis, do occur online. Recommendations are made to make note of this example, even if it is contingent upon generally high levels of political and social trust.
