South

Texas signed into law S.B. 7, which prohibits private employers from implementing COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Many popular social media posts celebrated the law, and some called for further legal protections against mandates, particularly for students. Others argued that the bills did not go far enough and should protect against...

In South Florida, over a dozen parents filed a lawsuit after their children suffered from infections following vaccination appointments in summer 2021. The children were of varying ages and received different vaccines, but all went to the same doctor. While the actual cause of the infection is unknown, parents are...

The Florida Department of Health has issued updated COVID-19 vaccine guidance to health care providers. Messaging continues to recommend against mRNA COVID-19 boosters for those under the age of 65. The guidance also urges doctors to address concerns with patients about waning effectiveness of the vaccine over time, risks of...

A Mississippi group is questioning the efficacy of flu vaccines. In a social media post, the group argues that the flu virus has persisted, despite the vaccine being available for 82 years. The post suggests this means the flu vaccine is ineffective. Some social media users expressed disagreement, attributing the...

In a special session, Texas senators introduced legislation prohibiting private employers from implementing COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The Senate passed the bill, and it is now under review by the House Committee. Politicians in support of the bill stated it would return medical freedom to Texans. Critics of the bill stated...

A Texas college of medicine has enforced a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for its students, faculty, and staff, sparking concerns over diminishing health freedom within the state. Despite the Texas governor’s opposition to COVID-19-related restrictions, publicly funded institutions can still enforce vaccine mandates. In response to public pressure and calls...

A Georgia-based group raised concerns about adverse events for routine immunizations, claiming that it only takes one vaccine to harm a child. The group shared an image promoting a social media account which has a history of linking vaccines to SIDS, autism, fertility issues, cancer, and death. In the comments,...

In early September, the South Carolina Senate Medical Affairs Ad-Hoc Committee conducted hearings on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, and information from these hearings has garnered significant attention on social media. One video features a University of South Carolina professor who claims that Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine contains plasma DNA...

Arkansas signed into law S.B. 3, which prohibits the government from mandating COVID-19 vaccination for public employees or state funded entities, with an exception for entities that stand to lose federal funding should they remove vaccine mandates. The bill also requires the Department of Health to maintain and publicize...