The Infodemiology Brief —

Controversial moves undermine trust in federal health agencies

Check out the debut episode of the Trusted Messenger Podcast, where co-hosts Chad Hermann and Todd Wolynn discuss the communication strategies for health care providers.

Over the last month, federal health agencies amplified false and misleading claims about vaccine safety, fueling confusion and eroding trust among clinicians and the public.

In November, an internal FDA memo claimed—without providing evidence—that COVID-19 vaccines were linked to multiple child deaths. Shortly afterward, the CDC updated its website to suggest that autism may be linked to childhood vaccines, contradicting decades of scientific evidence. In early December, the CDC’s vaccine advisors voted to stop recommending hepatitis B vaccination at birth, and President Donald Trump called for an overhaul of the childhood immunization schedule.

Together, these actions sparked widespread online debate, emboldened vaccine opponents, and raised concerns among health care providers about evidence-based decision-making and vaccine access.

For even more resources, check out the menu above for real-time insights, training resources, and more. Specifically curated for people working in health care and public health, these links provide actionable content to help navigate today’s information landscape.

Trending narratives from the past month

ACIP vote to end universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth sparks debate
On December 5, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to end a decades-old recommendation that all newborns receive their first hepatitis B vaccine dose within 24 hours of birth. The committee now advises delaying the first dose to no earlier than 2 months of age for infants born to birthing parents who test negative for hepatitis B, with additional testing to determine whether further doses are needed. Experts condemned the vote as not evidence-based and warned that it undermines ACIP’s credibility. On social media, vaccine opponents promoted misconceptions about the safety and necessity of hepatitis B vaccines for infants, while others expressed concern that the change could cause confusion and reduce access to vaccines. Read the fact checks here and here.

CDC causes confusion by promoting myth that vaccines are linked to autism
In late November, the CDC updated its website to falsely suggest  that childhood vaccines may cause autism, contradicting decades of scientific evidence. The change led some social media users to question whether the CDC can no longer be trusted as a source for health information or guidance. However, vaccine opponents celebrated the update and used it to advocate for restrictions or bans on childhood vaccines. Read the fact checks here and here.

FDA memo promotes unproven claim about COVID-19 vaccine safety for children
A November 28 memo sent to FDA staff claimed to link at least 10 children’s deaths to COVID-19 vaccines. The agency provided no supporting evidence or additional details to support the assertion. Some social media users expressed distrust in the FDA under its current leadership, calling the claim “dangerous and irresponsible.” Others said that the memo validated long-standing, unfounded fears that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and questioned why they are given to children. One week later, President Donald Trump ordered HHS to review and overhaul the childhood immunization schedule, further amplifying uncertainty online. Read the fact checks here and here.

What you might say in response

Pediatricians recommend hepatitis B vaccination at birth because it protects babies before they are exposed.

  • Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can cause liver damage, liver cancer, and death.
  • Infants are especially vulnerable: when infected early in life, hepatitis B is far more likely to become chronic and life-threatening.
  • Although the virus can be transmitted during birth, most infants with hepatitis B are born to a parent who tests negative, but are exposed later by caregivers or household contacts who may not know they’re infected.
  • Hepatitis B vaccines are 95 percent effective against infection, with decades of research showing no safety concerns. Since the U.S. introduced universal birth doses in 1991, chronic hepatitis B infections in children have dropped by 99 percent. 
  • Major medical organizations like the AAP continue to strongly recommend hepatitis B vaccination at birth. Parents who wish to vaccinate their baby in the first 24 hours can still do so.

Scientists have looked hard for a link between vaccines and autism—and there isn’t one.

  • Over three decades of research have consistently shown there is no link between vaccines and autism. The study that originated the myth that vaccines cause autism has been retracted, and its author lost his medical license. 
  • Vaccinated and unvaccinated children are diagnosed with autism at the same rates, and there is no relationship with the number or timing of vaccines.
  • Learn more about vaccine safety from your health care provider, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the AAP, and WHO.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe. They’re the best way to protect children against severe illness and long COVID. 

  • Five years of safety testing and monitoring in the U.S. and worldwide show that COVID-19 vaccines are safe for children. Serious side effects are extremely rare.
  • Getting sick with COVID-19 is much more dangerous for kids and adults than receiving any vaccine.
  • If you have questions about vaccines for your child, talk to your health care provider. Other trustworthy sources include the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the AAP.

What we’re reading

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Studies and trainings

Sign up for the Trusted Messenger Program, a comprehensive series of online or in-person trainings, resources, models, and workshops that help health care providers develop the skill they use most and that is most critical to their success: communication.

Interested in learning more about how to debunk false claims with patients? Check out the Infodemiology Training Program. In videos that range from 5 to 10 minutes each, the program introduces health care providers to the basics of infodemiology and provides you with actionable skills to help improve patient care. Get started today. 

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