Conflicting COVID-19 vaccine guidance fuels online debate
This week, U.S. health officials and anti-vaccine advocates amplified fears about COVID-19 vaccine development, regulation, and safety.
This week, U.S. health officials and anti-vaccine advocates amplified fears about COVID-19 vaccine development, regulation, and safety.
This week, online users discussed the release of evidence-based vaccine guidance by experts as federal health officials continue to promote false and misleading claims about COVID-19 vaccines. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists was the latest physicians’ group to contradict federal guidance and release its own COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccine recommendations for pregnant people. Meanwhile, a prominent anti-vaccine figure was tapped to lead a new federal working group on COVID-19 vaccines, fueling public fears that the federal government may be planning to heavily restrict or ban COVID-19 vaccines. Finally, a viral image resurfaced the myth that COVID-19 vaccines were developed too fast to be safe, sparking a debate about vaccine development and safety testing.
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What’s trending in vaccine conversation:
Days after the American Academy of Pediatrics released an immunization guide that broke with CDC guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for children, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists published its own vaccine guide recommending COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines for pregnant people. The updated guidance comes as the FDA reportedly approved updated COVID-19 vaccines only for people 65 and older and people 6 months and older with at least one underlying health condition. Many social media users expressed support for both groups’ guidance, but feared that insurance may not cover the vaccines without federal recommendations. Vaccine opponents argued that people should reject immunization schedules and falsely claimed that COVID-19 vaccines are too big a “risk” for young children and pregnant people.
On August 25, news broke that an anti-COVID-19 vaccine advocate who called for the immediate withdrawal of COVID-19 vaccines was appointed to lead a CDC working group on COVID-19 vaccines. Many online voiced concern that the individual, who has repeatedly promoted false claims about COVID-19 vaccine safety, will lead a working group tasked with assessing the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. The news comes as speculation is circulating online that the federal government may be planning to pull COVID-19 vaccines from the market “within months.” Some anti-vaccine accounts celebrated the news, while others suggested that it was “too little, too late.”
An August 19 social media post reignited the years-old claim that COVID-19 vaccines were developed “too fast” and questioned why vaccines against HIV, the common cold, and cancer haven’t been developed yet. The post has been viewed over 3.8 million times and received nearly 20,000 responses as of August 27. Many replies to the post claim that the COVID-19 pandemic was planned, that all vaccines are “poison,” and that vaccines cause diseases like AIDS and cancer. Some users criticized the post for promoting misleading claims and misunderstanding how vaccines work or are developed, while others noted that there are highly effective HIV preventatives and vaccines that protect against certain cancers.
Read the fact checks:
- ACOG: ACOG Releases Updated Maternal Immunization Guidance for COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV
- KFF: How Does the Federal Government Monitor Vaccine Safety?
- University of California: The COVID vaccine came out super quickly. Here’s why it’s safe.
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
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.
Many people are confused about who can or should get vaccines against COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. Health communicators can help clear up confusion by highlighting the vaccine recommendations of trusted physician groups, such as the AAP and ACOG, and encouraging people to talk to their health care provider about the vaccines they and their loved ones need. Messaging may explain that although vaccine advice may seem conflicting, COVID-19 vaccines remain the best protection for people of all ages. Emphasizing that certain populations—including young children and people who are older, pregnant, and immunocompromised—are at higher risk from COVID-19 and may benefit from vaccination is recommended.
Influential public figures, including health officials, are attempting to undermine the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Health communicators can combat false and misleading claims about COVID-19 vaccine safety by emphasizing that all COVID-19 vaccines are rigorously tested and monitored for safety. Messaging may highlight that billions of people worldwide have safely received COVID-19 vaccines in the last five years with no evidence of widespread health issues.
A persistent myth about COVID-19 vaccines is that they were “rushed” or not properly tested. Debunking messaging may explain that mRNA vaccines are the culmination of decades of global research on mRNA technology and coronaviruses. Messaging may also emphasize that after more than five years—and billions of people vaccinated—scientists have found no evidence that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe.
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