Vaccine court ruling garners both praise and criticism

A CDC travel alert for polio and rising measles cases also sparked debates about routine vaccines.

On March 16, a federal judge temporarily blocked the CDC from removing vaccines from its recommended schedule, drawing praise from health care providers and criticism from vaccine opponents. Meanwhile, online commenters discussed the importance of routine vaccinations and the risks of declining vaccination rates in response to rising U.S. measles cases and a CDC alert encouraging vaccination for those traveling to countries where poliovirus has been detected in the last 13 months.

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What’s trending in vaccine conversation:

Days before the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices was set to meet, a federal judge blocked the meeting and temporarily reversed recent federal vaccine policy changes. The March 16 ruling blocks a federal order that removed six vaccines from the CDC’s recommended childhood immunization schedule. Many online celebrated the court decision but warned that it will almost certainly be appealed. Some accused the administration of a lack of transparency and evidence-based reasoning for its decisions, warning it may further damage trust in vaccine guidance and increase hesitancy. Several opposed the ruling, arguing that the government shouldn’t be involved in health decisions.

In a March 9 travel health notice, the CDC advised international travelers to ensure they are up to date on polio vaccinations before traveling to 32 countries where poliovirus has been detected in the last 13 months. The alert, which includes several popular European travel destinations, notes that fully vaccinated adults may receive a single booster dose for additional protection. Most online conversations about the warning discussed polio vaccine safety and effectiveness, with many commenters emphasizing the importance of childhood vaccines. Some used the notice to resurface false and misleading claims about the safety of polio vaccines and other routine immunizations.

As U.S. measles cases continue to rise, online conversations responded to a new report on the financial impact of declining vaccination rates. Posts discussed the importance of routine vaccination and the reasons for vaccine hesitancy and encouraged people to stay up to date on immunizations. Others expressed doubts about the severity of measles and the effectiveness of the MMR vaccine. Several posts also discussed reports of a rare, deadly type of brain swelling that can occur years after a measles infection, with some claiming the story is propaganda and fear-mongering.

Read the fact checks: 

• FactCheck.org: The Facts on the Vaccines the CDC No Longer Recommends for All Kids
• Public Good News: The impact of polio vaccines in 4 charts
• Children’s Health: Measles facts: 8 myths debunked

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Recommendations for public health professionals

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 developing strategy for messaging about vaccines.

As the ruling blocking federal vaccine policy changes moves through the courts, parents may be wondering how it impacts vaccine access. Communicators may address this concern by emphasizing that they can continue to follow the evidence-based immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and that the vaccines will still be covered by insurance. Emphasizing that the AAP’s vaccine schedule was carefully designed to protect children before they are exposed to serious diseases is recommended.

Recent attention to polio online provides an opportunity for messaging about the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates, even against diseases that have been eliminated in the U.S. Messaging may encourage community members to check their family’s vaccination status before international travel. Communicators may also explain that communities with low polio vaccination rates are at risk for polio and that vaccinated children are protected from all forms of polio. Highlighting that polio vaccines are rigorously tested for safety and are the only way to prevent polio is also recommended.

Social media users often downplay the risk of measles, providing an opportunity for messaging about both the immediate and long-term risks. Messaging may emphasize that measles is not “just a rash” and that infection can lead to hospitalization, pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. Communicators may also explain that measles can cause long-term damage to a child’s immune system, which puts them at risk for other dangerous diseases. Messaging may stress that the MMR vaccine is the only safe way to protect against measles and that two doses provide strong, long-lasting protection.