Preprint study resurfacing misleading ‘long vax’ claims sparks conversation

This week, social media users discussed changes at HHS while attacks on mRNA technology caused concerns about vaccine access. Regional posts discussed a measles death in Texas and failed anti-vaccine bills.

This week’s online vaccine conversations discussed a preprint study about COVID-19 vaccine safety, attacks on mRNA vaccines, and changes to HHS during the first weeks of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership. A new Yale study that has yet to be peer-reviewed described a rare syndrome in a small group of people who received COVID-19 vaccines, setting off a wave of misleading claims. Meanwhile, the CDC sparked concern when it postponed a vaccine committee meeting amid mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services and suspended vaccination campaigns. Finally, state lawmakers recently introduced legislation to ban mRNA vaccines as a British tabloid fueled speculation that a national ban is in the works.

Regionally, conversations focused on the first U.S. measles death in a decade, two states’ failed bills targeting vaccines, and HPV vaccines for men.

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What’s trending nationally in vaccine conversation:

On February 19, researchers at Yale uploaded a preprint study about “post-COVID vaccination syndrome,” an extremely rare collection of symptoms including fatigue, brain fog, and nerve damage that occur after COVID-19 vaccination. Some people with the condition also showed signs of reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mono. This is similar to how the varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox can be reactivated to cause shingles. The small study included 42 individuals with the condition and 22 controls. Nearly two-thirds of the study participants—and 45 percent of the controls—had previous COVID-19 infections. The paper quickly sparked widespread social media attention, particularly from anti-vaccine accounts. Many posts misrepresented the study, falsely claiming that the non-peer-reviewed study of 42 people proves that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and caused widespread harm, with some comparing post-COVID vaccination syndrome to AIDS. Several posts speculated that long COVID is actually “long vax” and is caused by vaccines. 

Last week, the CDC postponed an Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting scheduled for February 26 to 28, causing widespread online conversations about public health and vaccine access implications. The meeting’s agenda included votes on recommendations for several vaccines. The postponement is one of several changes under HHS that has sparked conversation. Thousands of HHS workers have been laid off or face looming cuts. The CDC is reportedly ending certain vaccination campaigns, including a campaign that educates the public about how vaccination reduces flu severity. Some social media users worried that the changes are a sign that the current administration will restrict vaccine access, while others called for a complete overhaul of the CDC and other health agencies. 

A February 19 article in a British tabloid fueled speculation that the Trump administration plans to ban mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The article highlights the anti-vaccine beliefs of key members of the administration’s health team but does not provide evidence of any actual policy or plans to ban the vaccines. Several high-profile anti-vaccine figures circulated the article and claimed without evidence that the vaccines are linked to excess death. Social media users also discussed a failed Montana bill and a proposed Kentucky bill attempting to ban mRNA vaccines. Several commenters claimed that mRNA vaccines are “destructive and lethal.”

Read the fact checks: 

• Unbiased Science: New Yale Study on Post-COVID Vaccine Syndrome: Hold Your Horses!
• NHS: Why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself
• Infectious Diseases Society of America: mRNA Vaccines: What to Know 

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What’s happening in the Northeast:

A popular social media post that has been circulating heavily in the Northeast answers a question about why men should get the HPV vaccine. The post, which received over 67,000 engagements as of February 26, explained that men can pass HPV to their sexual partners and that the vaccine prevents multiple types of cancers that affect men. Commenters on the post explained why they chose to vaccinate their sons, encouraged men to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others, agreed with the original poster, and shared personal experiences of themselves or loved ones being diagnosed with HPV-related cancers. Several commenters claimed that HPV vaccination isn’t worth the risk and “does more harm than good.” One post falsely argued that circumcision or condoms are better protection against HPV, while another claimed without evidence that only gay men are at risk of HPV-related cancers. 

What’s happening in the South:

On February 26, Texas health officials announced that an unvaccinated child died from measles, the first measles death in the U.S. in a decade. The death and the growing outbreak in Texas and neighboring New Mexico dominated vaccine conversations in the region. As of February 25, 124 infections and 18 hospitalizations have been reported in Texas, including five cases in vaccinated individuals. Some vaccine opponents are falsely claiming on social media that the MMR vaccine caused the outbreak. This false claim is circulating across social media platforms in English and Spanish. The myth was spread recently by the anti-vaccine organization founded by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Last year, in reference to the deadly 2019 Samoa measles outbreak, Kennedy falsely stated that “nobody died in Samoa from measles. They were dying from a bad vaccine.” The anti-vaccine organization posted a video on February 20 speculating without evidence that the Texas outbreak was caused by a vaccine-derived measles virus. Vaccine-derived measles is an extremely rare phenomenon that has only been recorded in a few dozen people in the entire history of the MMR vaccine. Genetic testing has already determined that the measles virus causing the current outbreak is not vaccine-derived. Additionally, in over 50 years, there has not been a single recorded case of the MMR vaccine causing an infection that was able to spread to other people.

What’s happening in the Midwest:

On February 19, the North Dakota House of Representatives rejected bills to ban fluoride in drinking water and expand vaccine exemptions for school and child care. The vote received mixed reactions on social media, with “medical freedom” advocates arguing that vaccines should never be mandated and claiming without evidence that vaccines are dangerous. However, many celebrated the vote and commended lawmakers for prioritizing public health over anti-vaccine and anti-science myths and conspiracy theories.

What’s happening in the West:

Social media users discussed a Montana bill to ban mRNA vaccines, which lawmakers rejected on February 19. Many commenters, including those opposed to mRNA vaccines, criticized the bill for infringing on individuals’ rights to make health decisions. Others argued that the lawmakers who introduced the bill lack a basic understanding of how mRNA vaccines work. Supporters of the bill repeated myths about the alleged dangers of mRNA vaccination.

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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.

False and misleading claims about rare potential vaccine side effects often lead to hesitancy, particularly for vaccines as steeped in controversy and conspiracy theories as COVID-19 vaccines. Talking points may explain that a recent study about post-COVID vaccination syndrome is very small, with only 42 participants, and has not been peer-reviewed. Additionally, the study’s authors emphasized that it should not affect people’s decision to vaccinate. Debunking messaging may emphasize that long COVID is a real condition that affects millions of people and is caused by COVID-19 infection.

Changes to HHS have the potential to impact the health of all Americans and the future of scientific research while also weakening confidence in federal health agencies. Messaging may continue to emphasize the importance of vaccination to protect individual and public health. Explaining that vaccines protect against diseases that can cause serious illness, lasting health issues, hospitalization, and death is recommended.

The false belief that mRNA-based therapies are unsafe is widespread, and legislation targeting mRNA vaccines may further damage public trust in the technology. Debunking messaging may explain that mRNA technology is based on decades of research that led to the development of COVID-19 vaccines and may potentially lead to many other lifesaving advances, like vaccines for cancer and HIV. Messaging may also emphasize that billions of people have safely received mRNA vaccines without widespread health concerns.

Interested in recommendations tailored to health care providers? Click here.