Myth that COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility goes viral
This week, posts questioned fall vaccine timing and the measles vaccine, as regional vaccine opponents used a tragic death as an anti-vaccine talking point.
This week, posts questioned fall vaccine timing and the measles vaccine, as regional vaccine opponents used a tragic death as an anti-vaccine talking point.
Online conversations about vaccines this week ranged from conspiratorial to informative. Several anti-vaccine figures circulated the long-debunked myth that COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility, while a question about when to get fall vaccines yielded valuable, firsthand insights supported by expert advice. Meanwhile, the growing measles outbreak in Oregon prompted some online to encourage vaccination and others to promote myths about MMR vaccine safety.
Regionally, vaccine opponents exploited a tragic death and celebrated low COVID-19 vaccination rates as multiple mpox cases are confirmed in Nevada.
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 nationally in vaccine conversation:
Several English- and Spanish-language posts are circulating the debunked myth that COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility. A social media user with 2.4 million followers falsely claimed in a viral post that COVID-19 vaccines “caused widespread infertility.” Other popular posts claim, without evidence, that COVID-19 vaccines are “chemically castrating men” and disrupting menstrual cycles, causing sterility. One post references a researcher who claimed that vaccine spike proteins “replace sperm,” while others include videos that claim to show self-assembling nanostructures from mRNA vaccines present in sperm.
An August 30 social media post asked if it was safe to get COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time and when it is recommended to get an RSV vaccine. The post garnered significant attention, receiving over 3,400 responses. Many replies correctly noted that it is safe to receive both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time and also to include the RSV vaccine if eligible, but warned of potential side effects. The response revealed some confusion about the availability, eligibility, and timing of fall vaccines.
Measles cases in Oregon have reached the highest levels in over 30 years. Some people took to social media to blame the anti-vaccine movement for the outbreak, noting that Oregon’s school vaccine exemption rate is nearly three times the national average and that every measles case this year has been in an unvaccinated person. However, as news of the outbreak spreads online, anti-vaccine figures chimed in to repeat long-debunked myths that the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine causes autism. Other posts falsely claimed that measles isn’t serious and that the vaccine is unnecessary.
Read the fact checks:
- BabyCenter: No, the COVID vaccine doesn't cause infertility
- CDC: Getting a Flu Vaccine and Other Recommended Vaccines at the Same Time
- HealthyChildren.org: MMR Vaccine: What You Need to Know
What’s happening in the Northeast:
In a September 1 post, a Vermont-based health care professional highlighted a statewide program that provides in-home and on-site COVID-19 and flu vaccinations to disabled residents who are unable to travel to a vaccination site. The service is available for entire households and care facilities and can include additional vaccines upon request. The post received over 2,200 engagements, with many responses lauding the program and a few comments criticizing the post for promoting “unsafe” vaccines.
What’s happening in the South:
Vaccine opponents have latched on to the tragic death of a 9 year old in Kentucky who collapsed on her first day back in school. The death of the 4th grader is being falsely portrayed as a COVID-19 vaccine-related death on social media, although there is no evidence to support the speculation or even that the girl was vaccinated. One post claims the girl’s parents were brainwashed into “unnecessarily” vaccinating their daughter.
What’s happening in the Midwest:
A new study found that North Dakota has one of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country, as nearly three in 10 adults in the state have never received a COVID-19 vaccine. The report spurred celebration from some social media users praising those who “have half a brain not to take the jab!” Some responses emphasize personal choice, comparing the issue of vaccination to abortion.
What’s happening in the West:
Clark County, Nevada, has reported seven mpox cases as of August 28. Local news outlets reported on the cases with guidance on staying safe. In one news clip posted on social media, a man describes his experience with mpox, and a physician urges those who are eligible to get vaccinated. The responses falsely claim that the disease only affects gay men and insinuates that mpox is in the news again because it’s an election year.
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
Talking points for Health Care Providers
Each week the Infodemiology.com team will provide talking points and supporting messages in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. Health care providers can use this messaging when discussing vaccines online, talking to patients, or engaging with communities.
COVID-19 vaccination doesn’t impact fertility, but a COVID-19 infection could.
- Researchers have studied and closely monitored COVID-19 vaccine safety and repeatedly found no evidence that vaccination impacts fertility.
- Vaccination does not affect the ability to conceive, sperm health, or pregnancy outcomes. Some people may experience mild, temporary changes in menstruation (e.g., a period that is slightly heavier or a day longer than usual), after vaccination, but these changes don’t impact your reproductive health in the long term.
- In contrast, studies have found that COVID-19 infection may cause changes to the menstrual cycle, impact sperm and embryo health, and increase the risk of pregnancy complications.
Getting multiple fall vaccines at once is a safe and convenient way to protect yourself and your loved ones.
- COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines are the best way to protect yourself against severe illness this respiratory virus season.
- The CDC says that it is safe for eligible individuals to receive both or all three vaccines at the same time with the approval of their health care provider.
- Clinical trials and ongoing monitoring have not found any safety concerns related to receiving COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines together.
Measles is a serious disease that is completely preventable with vaccination.
- The MMR vaccine is 97 percent effective against measles infection. People who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated are at high risk of infection during a measles outbreak.
- Measles is a highly contagious, potentially life-threatening, and entirely preventable disease. Allowing a child to contract measles to gain immunity is extremely risky and unnecessary when safe, effective vaccines exist.
- Measles outbreaks happen when not enough people are vaccinated. Vaccination protects everyone, including children who are too young to be fully vaccinated.
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