Texas officials continue COVID-19 vaccine opposition

A Texas state senator sent a letter to the Texas Medical Board, calling for a ban on COVID-19 vaccines and repeating the false claims that COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer and excess deaths. Meanwhile, the Texas attorney general’s debunked claims that COVID-19 vaccines are ineffective have resurfaced.

Risk level: High

Recommendation: These types of false claims may discourage patients in Texas from getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine, especially when the claims are coming from government officials. Talking points may emphasize that COVID-19 vaccines are not linked to cancer or excess deaths. The attorney general’s claims about COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness are not scientifically sound and are directly contradicted by data from the Texas Health Department showing that unvaccinated Texans are far more likely than vaccinated Texans to die from COVID-19. The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older, because staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccination prevents severe illness, hospitalization, death, and long COVID.