A social media post falsely claimed that pharmaceutical companies in Massachusetts “manufactured” the COVID-19 pandemic for profit. The post attempted to back this false claim by stating that there are many pharmaceutical companies, including the headquarters of Moderna and Pfizer, in Massachusetts, and that the CDC director is from...
Within minutes of Kate Middleton revealing that she is in cancer treatment, some vaccine conspiracists began circulating the false claim that she has “turbo cancer” caused by mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Several viral posts resurfaced misrepresented pre-pandemic cancer incidence data to claim that COVID-19 vaccines are behind rising...
Social media posts in English and Spanish falsely blame COVID-19 vaccines for athletes’ recent health incidents. Specifically, the posts falsely claim that a tennis player’s collapse during the Miami Open and an Egyptian soccer player’s cardiac arrest were due to the COVID-19 vaccines. Recommendation: Vaccine opponents...
The FDA recently settled a lawsuit with a group of doctors who sued the agency claiming it was interfering with their ability to practice medicine. The plaintiffs are known for spreading false information about vaccines. Ultimately, the court ruled that the FDA’s campaign slogan, “You are not a horse!...
A recently released study from Drexel University analyzed survey data from 40,000 high school students and found that teenagers who live through a hurricane, flood, tornado, or other climate disaster could be up to 20 percent more likely to experience mental distress. Although the link between mental health and...
A cardiologist who opposes vaccines and has a large social media platform spoke to the Arizona Senate Novel Coronavirus Southwestern Intergovernmental Committee. In his speech, he falsely claimed that COVID-19 vaccines have caused mass deaths. He also falsely claimed that ivermectin is a safe and effective treatment for COVID-...
Two vaccine exemption bills in Southern states are sparking conversation online. In West Virginia, HB 5105—which was passed by the House and Senate—would eliminate vaccine requirements in public virtual schools. In Oklahoma, HB 3249—which was passed by the House—would expand vaccine exemptions for daycare students. Vaccine...
Reports that Pfizer exceeded methylene chloride discharge limits into a Michigan drain prompted city officials to issue a no-contact advisory for the Kalamazoo River. In response to these reports, some social media users shared unsubstantiated claims that the chemical spill is related to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines. These...
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene shared a social media post encouraging parents to vaccinate their children against measles and other diseases, as routine vaccines are required for children who attend school and daycare. In response to the post, some social media users commented that infants...
Posts circulating in English and Spanish claim that a “new study” declared Amish children are the “world’s healthiest children” because they are unvaccinated. The post claims that the study found Amish communities have a “90 times lower” COVID-19 death rate than “fully-vaxxed and boostered, mask-wearing and...