A trending social media post recirculated the false claim that ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine can treat COVID-19. The post also falsely claimed that the pharmaceutical industry is covering up the benefits of these medications because they threaten the vaccine industry. Risk level: High Recommendation: These types of posts may discourage patients...
Concerns about COVID-19 vaccine safety continue to cause vaccine hesitancy, fueled by a constant stream of misleading and false claims from vaccine opponents, including some prominent political officials. These anti-vaccine narratives are not original: They’re old claims given new life when attached to misrepresented studies, misused data, and political...
One hundred firefighters who were suspended for refusing to comply with COVID-19 vaccine requirements filed a lawsuit against the state of California. In response to this lawsuit, some social media users are raising concerns about the constitutionality of vaccine mandates. Others are expressing skepticism about the COVID-19 vaccine’s efficacy...
Several social media users recently alleged that Texas Children’s Hospital sent out an email to parents of patients stating that they will no longer treat unvaccinated or undervaccinated children. The hospital has stated to media outlets that the email is illegitimate. One of the top social media posts sharing...
In a widely circulated social media post, a user claimed to have observed numerous heart attacks and strokes among young people while working at a hospital on a North Dakota Native reservation. The user attributed these medical emergencies to the COVID-19 vaccine. Some social media users commented on the post...
As flu cases rise in the Northeast, several local health departments have been promoting the flu vaccine on social media. The New York City Department of Health shared social media posts about the spike in flu cases and highlighted how getting vaccinated helps vulnerable groups. Some social media users commented...
A popular social media post asked health care providers whether they have seen an increase in strokes, heart attacks, myocarditis, infertility, and deaths in the Muslim community. The post falsely claims that Muslim communities are largely unvaccinated against COVID-19 because the vaccines are not halal. The post also suggests that...
Earlier this month, reports claimed that a lead database administrator for New Zealand’s public health ministry leaked COVID-19 vaccine mortality data, revealing an allegedly high death count linked to certain vaccine batches. Online conversations about these reports have persisted in English and in Spanish. Social media users are continuing...
In a letter to the head of the FDA, the Florida surgeon general raised concerns about the safety and efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. In the letter, the surgeon claimed that COVID-19 vaccines contain SV40, a virus associated with cancer. The letter called for a response from the FDA by...
California health officials are warning of a winter surge in respiratory infections, including COVID-19, RSV, and the flu, and are encouraging residents to get vaccinated. Some social media users are claiming that vaccines are making people sick and causing the surge. Risk level: Medium Recommendation: These types of social media...