Pediatric COVID-19 vaccine’s restricted approval draws ire

This week, online users debated the safety of aluminum in vaccines and medical groups suing HHS over updated COVID-19 vaccine policies.

False narratives about pediatric vaccines and vaccine ingredients dominated online vaccine conversations this week. Fueled by federal vaccine policies that experts have heavily criticized, vaccine opponents questioned the necessity and safety of COVID-19 vaccines for children and pregnant people. Meanwhile, long-debunked anti-vaccine myths about aluminum in vaccines are gaining traction online, despite a new study showing no link between the ingredient and childhood health conditions like autism and asthma.

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What’s trending in vaccine conversation:

On July 10, Moderna’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine received full FDA approval for children 6 months to 11 years old who are at high risk of severe illness. The limited approval, which is in line with recently updated FDA guidelines, incited a wave of posts from online anti-vaccine figures, who continue to falsely claim that the vaccine is harmful to children. Many social media posts and much of the media coverage misleadingly suggest that the vaccine was approved for all children. Several posts stated that this is not “what they voted for,” arguing that federal health officials are being paid off by pharmaceutical companies. English and Spanish-language posts expressed outrage at the perceived betrayal and urged parents to refuse the vaccines.

Following HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s reported plan to “review” all vaccines containing the ingredient, myths about aluminum in vaccines continue to circulate online. In one popular post, an anti-vaccine advocacy group suggested that there are “hidden documents” proving that aluminum in vaccines is harmful. The post was shared nearly 10,000 times and garnered over 2,700 comments, including many specifically claiming the DTAP vaccine is dangerous. Commenters shared anecdotes about vaccines allegedly harming children and urged parents to follow an “alternative” vaccination schedule. Some users repeated the myth that aluminum is linked to autism and recommended “detoxing” after vaccination, while others rejected vaccines altogether, claiming aluminum is “hidden” in all vaccines.

The July 7 news that six medical organizations are suing HHS over updated federal COVID-19 vaccine policies that they call an “assault on science, public health and evidence-based medicine,” sparked considerable news coverage and social media discourse. Spokespeople for the organizations argued that the changes to vaccine policy may jeopardize vaccine access and damage trust in vaccines. Some comments demanded that Kennedy be removed from office. Vaccine opponents called for COVID-19 vaccines to be banned for children and pregnant people and for federal health agencies to be disbanded because of the alleged harms of the vaccines. Several posts suggested that rescinding vaccine recommendations will not impact access, while others speculated that the policy changes are laying the groundwork for additional restrictions on new and existing vaccines.

Read the fact checks: 

• HealthyChildren.org: When Can Kids Get the Updated COVID Vaccine?
• Factcheck.org: Posts Raise Unfounded Concerns About Aluminum in Vaccines 
• AAP: Removal of COVID vaccines from immunization schedules for healthy children, pregnant people disregards process, increases risk

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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.

Concerns about the safety and necessity of pediatric COVID-19 vaccines are a major driver of hesitancy among parents. Health communicators are encouraged to respond with empathy and acknowledge parents’ concerns about child vaccination. Talking points may highlight the well-established safety of pediatric COVID-19 vaccines and explain the benefits of vaccination for children and teens. Messaging may also emphasize that, although young people are at lower risk from COVID-19, they can become seriously ill and develop long-term complications like long COVID. Vaccination reduces these risks.

Concerns about vaccine safety are likely to increase as high-ranking health officials promote anti-vaccine myths about certain vaccine ingredients. Prebunking messaging may explain that every ingredient in vaccines is there to make them safer and more effective. Debunking messaging may emphasize that aluminum is used in vaccines to boost their effectiveness, allowing for a smaller dose. The ingredient has been studied and proven safe for decades. Talking points may also emphasize that small amounts of aluminum are harmless and occur naturally in soil, water, and food.

Federal vaccine policy influences health care provider recommendations, state and city-level vaccine guidance, and insurance coverage of vaccines, all of which are likely to impact access to vaccines. Messaging may explain that decades of scientific evidence overwhelmingly show that vaccines are safe and save lives. Additionally, COVID-19 vaccines have been studied in millions of people over the last five years, with all evidence showing that the vaccines are safe and serious side effects are extremely rare.

Interested in recommendations tailored to health care providers? Click here.