Posts denounce the MMR vaccine and falsely claim that measles is not dangerous
This week, the parents of a child who died of measles discouraged vaccination, and other posts repeated false claims about COVID-19 vaccines.
This week, the parents of a child who died of measles discouraged vaccination, and other posts repeated false claims about COVID-19 vaccines.
Online conversations about measles continued over the past week after the parents of a child who died from the disease discouraged vaccination, leading to a flurry of false claims about the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Plus, other posts exaggerated the risk of adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines and repeated the false claim that the vaccines cause “turbo cancer.”
Insights brought to you by the reporters and science writers of Public Good News (PGN), a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to improving community health.
What’s trending in vaccine conversation:
On March 17, Children’s Health Defense—an anti-vaccine group—shared an interview with the parents of an unvaccinated child who died of measles in Texas last month. In a video circulating on social media, the parents stated that they still oppose the MMR vaccine. They also falsely suggested that measles infections are not “as bad as [the media is] making it out to be” and promoted the unsubstantiated claim that measles infections can prevent cancer. While some social media posts expressed outrage at the parents for opposing the MMR vaccine despite their child’s death, others misleadingly claimed that the child died from pneumonia, not measles, when pneumonia was a complication from the child’s measles infection. False claims that measles is not dangerous and that the MMR vaccine is unsafe also emerged in response to posts highlighting new measles cases across several states.
On March 20, a U.S. representative shared a social media post falsely claiming that COVID-19 vaccines are “not safe for human use.” The post cited a study that identified rare side effects from COVID-19 vaccines and falsely claimed that those side effects are common. The text of the representative’s post alleged that “COVID-19 vaccines should have never received approval” and called for them to be removed from the recommended childhood vaccine schedule. Many comments agreed that COVID-19 vaccines are “toxic” and unsafe, and some shared personal stories of alleged “vaccine injuries.”
Recent social media posts in both English and Spanish repeated the false claim that the SV40 sequence “in” COVID-19 vaccines causes “turbo cancer.” One post promoting the false claim received nearly 170,000 views as of March 25, and many comments falsely linked COVID-19 vaccines to cancer. However, some comments attempted to debunk the false claim, correctly stating that the SV40 DNA sequence is used as starter material to make COVID-19 vaccines, but that SV40 virus is not in the vaccines.
Read the fact checks:
- AAP: How to Protect Your Children During a Measles Outbreak
- FactCheck.org: Study Largely Confirms Known, Rare COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects
- AFP Fact Check: False claims recirculate on harmful DNA in Covid-19 vaccines
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
Recommendations for public health professionals
Each week the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web pages and FAQs, and to inform strategy for messaging about vaccines.
As the measles outbreak that originated in Texas grows and new cases are reported in other states, communicators may explain that measles is one of the most contagious diseases. It’s dangerous, especially for children, who can become very sick or die from the disease. Messaging may emphasize that millions of children have safely received the MMR vaccine, which is the only way to prevent measles. Vitamins and supplements are not a substitute for vaccination. The CDC recommends that children receive one dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months and a second dose at 4 to 6 years. Adults born after 1957 who have not received any MMR vaccines or aren’t sure of their vaccination status should talk to their health care provider about getting vaccinated, especially before travel.
Persistent false claims about COVID-19 vaccine safety provide an opportunity to reiterate that severe side effects from the vaccines are extremely rare. Messaging may emphasize that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh any potential risks, because staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines prevents severe illness, long-term health problems, hospitalization, and death. COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. If you haven’t received this season’s updated COVID-19 vaccine—which protects against more recently circulating variants—talk to your health care provider or find pharmacies offering vaccines near you at Vaccines.gov.
The myth that COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer has existed since the vaccines were first developed. Debunking messaging may explain that COVID-19 vaccines have not been linked to cancer. Plus, fears of the SV40 virus in COVID-19 vaccines are unfounded. The virus is not in COVID-19 vaccines, and the SV40 DNA sequence—which is used as starter material for the vaccines—is harmless.
Interested in recommendations tailored to health care providers? Click here.