Executive order aiming to change federal vaccine recommendations fuels confusion and debate

Meanwhile, the approval of an mRNA flu vaccine revived false safety claims.

Last week, an executive order directing federal agencies to pursue changes to childhood vaccine recommendations prompted a wave of false claims, including about autism. Meanwhile, the FDA’s approval of an mRNA flu vaccine prompted debate and questions ahead of the respiratory virus season, and popular social media posts revived the false claim linking COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy to miscarriage.

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What’s trending in vaccine conversations

On August 10, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to pursue changes to childhood vaccine recommendations, including fewer recommended vaccines, administering some vaccines at separate medical visits, and replacing the combined MMR vaccine with separate measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines. Many social media users criticized the order, and some worried that it would contribute to already-declining vaccination rates. Supporters advocated for spacing out vaccines, falsely claiming that receiving multiple vaccines at once “overwhelms the immune system” and causes autism. On social media, major medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics debunked false claims about vaccines and autism, sparking debate about vaccine safety in the comments. Social media users also expressed confusion about what the order means and whether it changes state laws or school vaccination requirements.

Earlier, on August 5, the FDA approved mFlusiva, an mRNA flu vaccine for adults 50 and older, pending an additional clinical trial. Moderna expects the vaccine to be available this flu season. In response, many social media users expressed distrust of mRNA technology. Some repeated false claims that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the myth that people who receive mRNA vaccines “shed” the virus and infect others. Commenters also asked whether other types of flu vaccines will remain available and whether mFlusiva is safe for people with egg allergies.

Meanwhile, two senators released text messages from Dr. Anthony Fauci’s former government phone in which he discussed COVID-19 vaccine safety during pregnancy. The messages sparked a flurry of false claims online that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is associated with an 82 percent risk of miscarriage, which another senator alleged in a later-deleted social media post. Some commenters repeated the false claim and discouraged pregnant people from getting COVID-19 vaccines, while others correctly stated that COVID-19 vaccination is safe during pregnancy, with no evidence of increased miscarriage risk.

Read the fact checks: 

• AAP: Fact Checked: Receiving Multiple Vaccines Does Not Overwhelm a Child’s Immune System
• Johns Hopkins University: Why Experts Have Concluded That Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism
• FactCheck.org: No Scientific Basis for Vaccine ‘Shedding’ Claims
• FactCheck.org: Republicans Revive False Miscarriage Statistic, Twist Fauci’s Texts About COVID-19 Shots

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Recommendations for public health professionals

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 developing strategy for messaging about vaccines.

Announcements about potential changes to federal guidance can generate confusion about vaccine safety, even among those who support vaccines, and leave community members with questions about current vaccine requirements. In response, health communicators may stress that there is no medical reason to space out childhood vaccines. Messaging may focus on how all vaccines are rigorously tested before they’re approved for any age group to ensure they’re safe and point to research repeatedly showing that vaccines do not cause autism. Messaging may also promote vaccine recommendations from trusted medical groups, like the AAP. Directing families to your state’s vaccine requirements—and clarifying that the executive order does not impact state laws—is recommended. Additional messaging may encourage parents to talk with their child’s pediatrician about getting kids up to date on vaccines before school starts.

Messaging to address persistent mRNA myths may emphasize that mRNA technology has been researched for decades and that mRNA vaccines now have years of real-world use and safety monitoring behind them. Communicators may highlight the value of this technology to make vaccines that better match viruses that change quickly, like the flu and COVID-19. Debunking messaging may stress that mRNA vaccines do not contain a live virus and cannot “shed.” Health communicators may also explain that the approval of an mRNA flu vaccine does not mean existing flu vaccines are going away and that mFlusiva adds another option for adults 50 and older. In response to allergy concerns, messaging may note that mFlusiva does not contain egg protein and that people with egg allergies can receive any flu vaccine appropriate for their age and health status, including egg-based vaccines. Encouraging people to discuss their flu vaccine options and timing with a health care provider is recommended.

False claims linking COVID-19 vaccines to miscarriage frequently reemerge. Messaging may reiterate that research has found no link between COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and increased miscarriage risk. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant people receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine, as getting sick with COVID-19 during pregnancy increases the risk of severe illness, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and death. Messaging may also explain that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy passes protective antibodies to the developing fetus, which helps protect newborns, who are vulnerable to severe illness. With the expected rollout of updated COVID-19 vaccines approaching, messaging may encourage pregnant people to talk to a health care provider about all the vaccines they need during pregnancy.