Vaccines

States’ moves to protect COVID-19 vaccine access draw praise

Plus, the president’s social media post sparked a debate about childhood vaccine safety after a child died of a rare measles complication.

States’ moves to protect COVID-19 vaccine access draw praise

Plus, the president’s social media post sparked a debate about childhood vaccine safety after a child died of a rare measles complication.

This week, state leaders worked to expand COVID-19 vaccine access while the federal government continues to promote misleading and inconsistent vaccine messaging. Following the FDA’s limited approval of the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines, leaders in over a dozen states were lauded for working to ensure that the vaccines would be available to their residents. Meanwhile, a video shared by the president resurfaced several myths about vaccine ingredients that the health secretary has also promoted. Finally, a child’s tragic death from a rare measles complication sparked conversations about the importance of herd immunity.

Insights brought to you by the reporters and science writers of Public Good News (PGN), a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to improving community health.

Since the FDA narrowed the eligibility of the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines on August 27, over a dozen states have taken steps to protect access. California, Oregon, and Washington formed the West Coast Health Alliance to “provide evidence-based unified recommendations.” Meanwhile, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia have issued executive orders or state guidance allowing providers to administer vaccines to people not covered under the new federal guidelines. Many political figures and social media users celebrated the news, with some hoping that their state would follow suit. Posts argued that the actions will not be enough to ensure access and expressed concerns about insurance coverage and cost. Critics called the state policies “tyranny” and suggested the federal government should block them. Some posts mocked people who want the vaccine, promoted myths about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, and falsely claimed that all vaccines are harmful.

On September 8, President Donald Trump posted a social media video promoting false and misleading claims about the safety of thimerosal. The video claims that researchers are “very afraid” of thimerosal and that the substance is “immensely toxic” and can cause neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. Responses generally echoed the false claims from the video, which has spread across platforms. However, pro-vaccine figures pushed back, accurately noting that thimerosal is only harmful in far higher doses than are present in vaccines and that the ingredient, while safe, is rarely used in vaccines in the U.S.

Late last week, California health officials confirmed that a child died of a rare measles-related complication called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which can develop years after the initial infection. The child was reportedly too young to be vaccinated when they were infected. Social media posts sharing the story emphasized the importance of herd immunity and encouraged others to vaccinate themselves and their children. Many users expressed grief and frustration, blaming the anti-vaccine movement for undermining vaccine trust. However, vaccine opponents responded to the story by denying the link between SSPE and measles, minimizing measles’ severity, claiming that natural immunity is better than vaccination, and repeating myths about the safety of the MMR vaccine.

Read the fact checks: 

Check out more data on trends in vaccine narratives

Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.

Each week the Infodemiology.com team will provide talking points and supporting messages in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. Health care providers can use this messaging when discussing vaccines online, talking to patients, or engaging with communities.

You’re not alone if you’re confused about getting a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine. Your health care provider has answers.

  • There’s been a lot of mixed messages about who can and should get the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines since the FDA narrowed their eligibility. 
  • However, 14 states have acted to make the vaccine available to those who want it: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. If you live in one of those states, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting vaccinated. 
  • If you live outside of these states, you may still be able to get vaccinated if you have an underlying health condition—such as asthma, physical inactivity, or pregnancy—or with a prescription from your doctor.

All ingredients in vaccines are safe and have been well tested—often for decades. 

  • Routine vaccines are the best protection against preventable diseases like measles and the flu.
  • Vaccines contain only safe ingredients. Ingredients that could be toxic at very high doses are perfectly harmless at the low doses used in vaccines. 
  • Every ingredient in a vaccine has undergone rigorous testing to prove that it is safe.
  • Thimerosal is a preservative that makes vaccines safer by preventing bacterial and fungal contamination.
  • Although thimerosal is no longer in routine childhood vaccines in the U.S., many countries worldwide use thimerosal-containing vaccines with no safety issues. Decades of research have shown that the ingredient is safe.

Measles is a serious and potentially deadly disease. Vaccination is the only way to safely prevent it.

  • Measles is a highly contagious and potentially serious infection. It can cause serious complications and lasting adverse health effects for years after infection.
  • The measles virus can wipe out existing immune memory, making children vulnerable to diseases they were previously immune to. 
  • In rare cases, measles can cause a fatal brain disorder that develops years after infection. Recently, a child who was too young to be vaccinated when they were infected with measles died from this condition. 
  • Getting the MMR vaccine protects you and everyone around you, including the most vulnerable.

    Interested in recommendations tailored to public health professionals? Click here.