ACIP overhaul and meeting draw criticism from the public and experts

Over the last two weeks, online commenters expressed skepticism about a new COVID-19 variant and whooping cough vaccinations.

Conversations about the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices dominated online vaccine conversations over the past two weeks. Shortly after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. replaced ACIP with a smaller panel that included several notable vaccine skeptics, many social media users expressed concern about the overhaul, the new committee’s lack of relevant experience, and the inclusion of anti-vaccine talking points at the June 25 ACIP meeting. Meanwhile, online commenters dismissed reports of painful symptoms caused by an emerging COVID-19 variant and debated the importance of whooping cough vaccines to protect infants.

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What’s trending in vaccine conversation:

Conversations about the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices June 25 meeting are trending online. Although vaccine opponents applauded the replacement of ACIP’s panel of experts with several well-known vaccine skeptics, critics noted that most replacement ACIP members lack relevant expertise and have histories of anti-vaccine work. Days before the meeting, two senators, including one who voted to confirm Kennedy, called for the meeting to be delayed until members “with more direct relevant expertise” are appointed.

The meeting included a presentation about thimerosal, led by the former head of an anti-vaccine organization, who has been appointed to an unknown position at the HHS. Thimerosal has long been a focus of the anti-vaccine movement, which falsely claims the vaccine ingredient is harmful and linked to developmental disorders. Research has consistently shown no safety concerns associated with thimerosal, which is present in a small percentage of flu vaccines in the U.S. The thimerosal presentation drew harsh criticism, including from an ACIP member who noted that “the risk from influenza is so much greater than the non-existent, as far as we know, risk from thimerosal.” Several news outlets also reported that the presentation cited a study that does not exist, in line with the current HHS’s recent trend of referencing nonexistent research. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. published a long social media post falsely claiming that thimerosal is unsafe, citing outdated and irrelevant studies about methylmercury, which is not present in any vaccine. The post received over 1,300 replies, with many of the top responses noting accurately that thimerosal contains ethylmercury, a form of mercury that humans can safely process and which decades of research have shown is completely harmless in the doses present in vaccines.

Many social media users feared that Kennedy’s health officials and advisors may be laying the groundwork to restrict access to or ban certain vaccines. These fears were validated by ACIP’s vote against recommending flu vaccines containing thimerosal. Although few vaccines in the U.S. contain the ingredient, many online critics emphasized that the vote was based on disproven claims about the alleged risk posed by the substance, which has been safely used in vaccines worldwide for decades.

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Recent reports suggest that one of the symptoms of the new COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 is stabbing throat pain, which some have compared to swallowing razor blades. As the description of “razor blade throat” circulated online in the U.S., many social media users dismissed it as fearmongering, suggesting that news coverage of COVID-19 variants is part of a plot to bring back lockdowns. Some users took the opportunity to encourage people to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccination, while others promoted fake remedies and conspiracy theories about vaccine ingredients. Several people expressed concern about the availability of COVID-19 vaccines and the reliability of vaccine guidance under the current administration.

As whooping cough continues to surge in the U.S., a viral June 12 social media post highlighted how the politicization of vaccines impacts families. A social media user with a large following complained that he and his wife were prevented from meeting their newborn grandchild because they haven’t received whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine boosters. The post and replies insinuate that people have been “brainwashed” by vaccine “propaganda.” As of June 25, the post has received over 58,000 engagements and 5.5 million views. Notably, most of the top responses to the post, including those from vaccine skeptics, encourage the poster to get vaccinated. Many explained how dangerous whooping cough is to infants and the effectiveness of the vaccine. Several people promoted false claims about the safety of mRNA vaccines while expressing support for “traditional” vaccines. Some commenters argued that requiring the grandparents to get vaccinated is “unfair” and “unreasonable, while others claimed without evidence that the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine is unsafe.

Read the fact checks: 

• PBS News: What to know about thimerosal, vaccine preservative from bygone flu-shot debate 
• Very Well Health: What You Need to Know About the New COVID Variant ‘Nimbus’ 
• NFID: Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

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Recommendations for public health professionals

Each week the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. Use these helpful tips when creating content, updating web pages and FAQs, and to inform strategy for messaging about vaccines.

The upheaval at the CDC, delayed ACIP votes, the appointment of anti-vaccine figures to ACIP, and the inclusion of anti-vaccine talking points at the June 25 meeting may cause uncertainty about the agency’s stance on certain vaccines and erode public trust. Messaging may explain that experts recommend vaccines because they are safe and the best way to protect against diseases like the flu and HPV. Health communicators may also emphasize that all vaccine ingredients are rigorously tested for safety and are added to make vaccines safer and more effective.

Online minimization of the symptoms and circulation of a new COVID-19 variant may make people less likely to get vaccinated and take other precautions to protect themselves and their families. Health communicators may explain that the COVID-19 variant Nimbus may cause an increase in cases this summer. Messaging may emphasize that research indicates that the current COVID-19 vaccines protect against Nimbus and other similar variants.

The politicization of vaccines has caused people to be hesitant about vaccines that have been proven safe and effective for decades. Talking points may highlight the risks of whooping cough, especially in infants and young children, and the benefits of vaccination to protect against pertussis. Messaging may emphasize that babies and young children who are not fully vaccinated are at highest risk from whooping cough, which is currently on the rise in the U.S. Infants, children, adolescents, and pregnant people should be vaccinated against whooping cough, as should any adults who will be around infants.

Interested in recommendations tailored to health care providers? Click here.