Back to Insights

Region

West

A collection of 12 insights

Social media post baselessly attributes California employee’s death to COVID-19 vaccine

A social media user shared the story of a California state employee who recently died due to an unspecified medical emergency. The post attributed the employee’s death to the COVID-19 vaccine and California’s vaccine mandate for state employees, despite having no evidence to support this claim. The post...

Social media post claims that California study found increase in heart inflammation following mRNA vaccine

A physician on social media recently shared a California study that observed a potential increase in heart inflammation following the administration of mRNA vaccines. The study, which was originally submitted as a presentation at the 2021 Scientific Sessions for the American Heart Association (AHA), has since been discredited by the...

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

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...

Physician’s group opposes HPV vaccine mandate in California schools

In California, proposed legislation AB 6591 is gaining attention. The legislation would mandate the HPV vaccine for students in public and private schools without religious or conscientious exemptions. In March 2023, a physician’s organization known for opposing vaccines released a letter opposing AB 6591. The letter is currently recirculating...

Vaccine safety claims surround Phoenix COVID-19 committee presentation

A recent presentation at the Novel Coronavirus Southwestern Intergovernmental Committee in Phoenix, Arizona, is gaining attention on social media. The event featured speakers who have advocated for unproven COVID-19 treatments and promoted religious exemptions to COVID-19 vaccine mandates. During the presentation, one speaker falsely attributed 600,000 deaths to the...

California Governor signs HPV vaccination bill amid heated debate

On October 13, the California Governor signed Assembly Bill 659 (AB 659), which recommends that students under the age of 26 receive the HPV vaccine. Social media posts from the bill’s opponents falsely claim that the HPV vaccine is ineffective and poses serious risks to young people, causing fainting,...

Washington pathologist raises concerns about COVID-19 vaccines and adverse effects

A Washington-based pathologist has raised concerns about the adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. In a circulating interview, he falsely claims that the spike protein in the vaccine causes severe damage. He also mentions that he has prescribed unapproved treatments like ivermectin with what he claims to be positive results....

Former President takes anti-mandate stance and backs controversial children's book in California

A former U.S. president recently expressed his opposition to vaccine mandates at a California campaign event. He asserted his intention to withhold funding from California schools that implement vaccine and mask mandates if he is elected president next year. At a separate event in California, he also endorsed a...

Debate sparks over COVID-19 vaccine efficacy following California prison study

Several social media posts are referencing a study to argue that COVID-19 vaccines are ineffective in providing protection against the virus. The study, which examined California's prison system, showed that incarcerated people who had received the COVID-19 vaccine had a slightly higher infection rate than those who had not received...

California Governor faces backlash after COVID-19 pandemic reflection

Numerous online posts are criticizing California's governor for his reflections on how he initially handled the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, the governor faced backlash for implementing mask mandates and strict vaccine requirements, and he now states he would have pursued another course of action. Social media users argue that...

Sign up for the Health Care Infodemiology Brief

Each month you’ll receive up-to-date information on trending health conversations to better understand the concerning narratives circulating in patient communities. We’ll also include the latest peer-reviewed readings on health communications, trainings, links to helpful resources, and more to keep you informed as you do your critical work.