The Infodemiology Brief —

New studies fuel debate about COVID-19 vaccines and cancer

This month, myths about vaccine safety continued spreading online. Vaccine opponents misrepresented a recent study to falsely claim that COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer. Some also dismissed another study finding that mRNA vaccines may strengthen the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. Meanwhile, the HHS secretary promoted misleading claims about vaccine ingredients, and news investigations revealed hundreds of anti-vaccine bills proposed around the country

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Trending narratives from the past month

Recent studies resurface the myth that COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer
This month, two new studies sparked online debate about mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and cancer. The first study found that people who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were more likely to be diagnosed with certain types of cancer than unvaccinated people. Vaccine opponents falsely claimed that the study proved that COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer. However, the study’s authors noted that the data did not show that vaccines cause cancer, while experts emphasized that vaccinated people tend to be older, have existing health conditions, and are more likely to seek preventative care, such as cancer screenings. The second study found that patients with certain advanced cancers who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines before starting immunotherapy survived nearly twice as long as unvaccinated patients receiving the same treatment. Health experts suggested that the vaccines may help the immune system fight cancer, but some social media users dismissed the study as so-called “pro-vaccine propaganda.” Read the fact checks here and here.

Posts echo calls to ban thimerosal and other vaccine ingredients
Online debate about vaccine ingredients spiked following Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s call to ban thimerosal in vaccines worldwide. On November 3, Kennedy shared a video and social media post, falsely claiming the ingredient is toxic. Thousands of social media users echoed Kennedy’s false claim and suggested without evidence that thimerosal, aluminum, and other vaccine ingredients should be removed from vaccines due to their alleged health risks. However, many health experts and health care providers emphasized that vaccine ingredients are safe and not linked to health concerns. Read the fact checks here and here.

Surge in ‘anti-science’ legislation nationwide sparks concern
An October AP News investigation identified hundreds of state “anti-science” bills, a majority targeting vaccines. The bills seek to eliminate school vaccine requirements, increase restrictions on certain vaccines, and undermine existing and future vaccine programs. Many online, including public health experts and health care providers, expressed concern that the legislation could put communities at risk of preventable disease outbreaks. In an October article, experts expressed similar concerns about Idaho’s recently implemented Medical Freedom Act, which bans vaccine requirements, including for school enrollment. Read the fact checks here and here.

What you might say in response

We have over five years of research showing that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and are not linked to increased cancer risk.

  • The National Cancer Institute emphasizes that COVID-19 vaccines do not raise cancer risk. The organization, along with the American Cancer Society, encourages cancer patients to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • The claim that COVID-19 vaccines cause or speed up cancer is an anti-vaccine myth, not something supported by evidence. 
  • Some new research even suggests that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines may help the immune system better recognize and fight certain cancers.

Every vaccine ingredient is carefully tested to make sure it’s safe and helps the vaccine work well.

  • Thimerosal is a preservative that keeps multi-dose vials from getting contaminated. 
  • It contains a type of mercury that is completely harmless to people in the small amounts used in vaccines.
  • Although thimerosal is no longer used in any U.S. vaccines, many countries worldwide continue to use vaccines containing thimerosal without any safety problems.

Vaccines protect children, families, and whole communities safe from preventable diseases. 

  • For centuries, deadly diseases spread quickly through communities, sickening millions of children each year. Vaccines changed that.
  • Herd immunity from widespread vaccination protects everyone, especially infants and children who are too young to get vaccinated, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with a weak immune system.
  • Childhood vaccines, including the ones needed for school enrollment, have protected children for generations and saved millions of lives.

What we’re reading

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Studies and trainings

Sign up for the Trusted Messenger Program to improve your communication skills and strengthen your status as a trusted messenger. The first online training module, Maximizing Trust & Reducing Resistance, is now live. The module is free, can be taken on your schedule, and offers 1.0 CME credits.

Interested in learning more about how to debunk false claims with patients? Check out the new 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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