Past insights

New breastfeeding guidelines for HIV-positive birthing parents cause confusion on social media

Reproductive health

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued new guidelines stating that HIV-positive birthing parents can safely breastfeed if they are undergoing antiretroviral treatment and their viral load is undetectable. In response to news articles about these guidelines, some social media users claimed that breastfeeding as an HIV-positive birthing parent is “not...

1 min read

Posts celebrate World Immunization Day and National Infant Immunization Week

National

Post in English and Spanish recognized National Infant Immunization Week and World Immunization Week. Health departments, government entities, community organizations, media outlets, NGOs, and individuals emphasized the real-world impact of vaccines, promoted immunization guidelines, and highlighted local, national, and global vaccination efforts.  Recommendation: While conversations about World Immunization Day and...

1 min read

Posts celebrate World Immunization Day and National Infant Immunization Week

National

Post in English and Spanish recognized National Infant Immunization Week and World Immunization Week. Health departments, government entities, community organizations, media outlets, NGOs, and individuals emphasized the real-world impact of vaccines, promoted immunization guidelines, and highlighted local, national, and global vaccination efforts.  Recommendation: Trending conversations about vaccines provide an opportunity...

1 min read

Doctor’s testimony falsely claims COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and ineffective at preventing COVID-19-related deaths

National

Several viral social media posts are sharing statements from a World Health Organization official who testified that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and ineffective at preventing COVID-19-related deaths and that Finland’s former COVID-19 vaccine passport requirements were unethical and unnecessary because COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent COVID-19 transmission. The testimony...

1 min read

Doctor’s testimony falsely claims COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and ineffective at preventing COVID-19-related deaths

National

Several viral social media posts are sharing statements from a World Health Organization official who testified that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and ineffective at preventing COVID-19-related deaths and that Finland’s former COVID-19 vaccine passport requirements were unethical and unnecessary because COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent COVID-19 transmission. The testimony...

1 min read

Social media posts cite Ohio State University study to falsely claim that COVID-19 vaccines increase COVID-19-related death risk

Midwest

Multiple social media posts cited a recent Ohio State University study to falsely claim that COVID-19 vaccines increase the risk of death from COVID-19 infection. The study, which was published in Frontiers in Immunology in February, followed 112 patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19 infections and concluded with caution that...

1 min read

Posts allege former Italian Minister of Health is under murder investigation relating to COVID-19 vaccines

National

Multiple social media users are claiming that the former Italian Minister of Health is under investigation for homicide due to allegations of concealing COVID-19 vaccine-related deaths. In response, some social media users are expressing concerns about COVID-19 vaccine safety. Risk level: Medium Recommendation: While conversations about this claim are unlikely...

1 min read

Presidential candidate references dismissed vaccine lawsuit as evidence of pharmaceutical industry’s profits from vaccine-related injuries

National

A video of a presidential candidate claiming that the pharmaceutical industry derives profits from the sale of medications intended to address alleged vaccine-related injuries is circulating on social media. The candidate referenced the 1986 Vaccine Injury Act, which resulted from the dismissed claim against Wyeth (now Pfizer) for vaccine injury...

1 min read

Parents group files lawsuit against California over school vaccine mandates and removal of religious exemptions

West

California Governor Gavin Newsom, along with the state legislature, eliminated religious exemptions for mandatory school vaccines through Senate Bill 277 (SB277). This move prompted a group of parents to file a federal lawsuit backed by a faith-based organization. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of SB277, which permits only medical exemptions...

1 min read

Ottawa County resolution states vaccine promotions must include risks, benefits, and information on waivers

Midwest

The Ottawa County Commission passed a resolution that recommends any vaccine promotions by the county include information on exemptions and waivers, vaccine package inserts, ingredients, and a link to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) data. The resolution also emphasizes parents’ rights to not vaccinate their children. Risk level:...

1 min read

Study data incorrectly used to claim that COVID-19 vaccine causes skin condition

National

A recent study investigating the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on various autoimmune skin conditions found no significant impact in the occurrence or exacerbation of these conditions. However, vaccine opponents are misrepresenting the study to claim that COVID-19 vaccines cause autoimmune disorders. Risk level: Medium Recommendation: Misrepresenting studies and cherry-picking data...

1 min read