Skepticism abounds over updated COVID-19 vaccines and mpox

This week, false claims about infant hepatitis B and COVID-19 vaccines circulated while regional debates about vaccine mandates and the summer COVID-19 surge persist.

This week’s online conversations about vaccines were dominated by skepticism and conspiracy theories about the safety and necessity of routine vaccines. Updated COVID-19 vaccines and hepatitis B vaccines for infants remained a topic of controversy on social media, as news of mpox outbreaks reignited myths about a link between that disease and COVID-19 vaccines.

Regional conversations focused on debates about school and employer vaccine requirements, the end of free vaccines during the summer COVID-19 surge, and mpox safety guidance.

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What’s trending nationally in vaccine conversation:

Weekend reports that the FDA may sign off on updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer as soon as this week sparked an online debate about the necessity and effectiveness of the vaccines. Several pro-vaccine social media users expressed frustration that the updated Novavax vaccine won’t be approved on the same timeline, with some posts accusing the FDA of “withholding” the vaccine and insisting that the non-mRNA vaccine is the safer, more effective option. Some posts rejected updated COVID-19 vaccines outright and doubted their safety and effectiveness, while others voiced distrust in the vaccine approval process.

Last week, WHO declared the mpox outbreak in Africa a public health emergency of international concern as several central and west African nations face rising cases of the disease. Sweden, Pakistan, and the Philippines have also reported mpox cases. The declarations set off a wave of conspiracy theories and debates, many linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines. Several popular posts in English and Spanish falsely claim that mpox is a side effect of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, with some recycling the debunked myth that mpox is an autoimmune skin disease triggered by vaccination. Other posts doubt the existence of mpox and claim that it is part of a global conspiracy to force vaccines and control the population. Trending TikToks claim that a mpox “lockdown” is imminent. Contrary to some online claims, WHO does not recommend lockdowns for mpox and does not have the authority to enforce public health restrictions. 

On August 16, a popular right-wing webcast featured an interview with a physician who argues against hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns. The physician describes hepatitis B as a “sexually transmitted and IV drug-user disease.” Social media posts sharing the clip question why infants receive the vaccine at birth, falsely claiming that the disease poses no risk to babies. Other posts promote the myth that the vaccine is unsafe and that children receive too many vaccines. One post claims that vaccines and other pharmaceutical interventions are “literally killing off the population.”

Read the fact checks: 

• CDC: Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines
• DW: Fact check: No link between mpox and COVID vaccination
• USA Today: Infant hepatitis B vaccination is necessary, saves lives

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What’s happening in the Northeast:

Vaccine opponents are celebrating an August 14 federal appeals court decision overturning a lower court ruling that dismissed a lawsuit against a Boston hospital that fired an employee who refused COVID-19 vaccination on religious grounds. The lower court ruled that the former employee did not prove that her religious objections were sincere. The latest decision allows the lawsuit to advance through the courts. Social media users expressed hope that the lawsuit will open the door for other school and employer vaccine mandate lawsuits.

What’s happening in the South:

An August 16 social media post from a local Texas news outlet reminding parents of the importance of vaccinations as children head back to school received unusually high engagement from vaccine opponents. The post received over 700 comments, with many objecting to the support for routine vaccination, falsely claiming that childhood vaccines are dangerous, and praising parents who don’t “fall” for vaccines.

What’s happening in the Midwest:

Health officials in Kansas and Missouri have expressed concern that an end to free vaccines may impact uptake amid rising COVID-19 levels in those states. People without insurance can expect to pay at least $100 for updated vaccines this fall. Some social media users dismissed the concerns, claiming that COVID-19 is not important and that officials are merely fearmongering to influence the upcoming elections.

What’s happening in the West:

A recent video with over half a million views features an influencer stating that, while he refused to quarantine for COVID-19, he is willing to quarantine in the event of a mpox outbreak in California. The video, which received over 7,500 responses, suggests that COVID-19 protections were “government nonsense.” Many comments dismissed reports of mpox outbreaks as “election year shenanigans” and claimed that “you couldn’t believe anything coming from the government.” A minority of responses stated that they would quarantine or take a vaccine to protect against mpox.

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Talking points for public health professionals 

Each week, 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 to inform strategy for messaging about vaccines.

Negative narratives about the safety and necessity of some or all COVID-19 vaccines may cause people to delay or refuse updated vaccines. Messaging may emphasize that all approved COVID-19 vaccines—mRNA-based and otherwise—are safe and effective. Explaining that delaying COVID-19 vaccination for a preferred vaccine is an unnecessary risk is recommended, as is highlighting that updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines are designed to protect against currently circulating variants.

Vaccine opponents have repeatedly used mpox to advance false and misleading narratives about COVID-19 safety. Debunking messaging may emphasize that there is no connection between mpox and COVID-19 vaccination, as evidenced by the fact that the disease was discovered decades before COVID-19 vaccines existed. Messaging may also explain that the countries most affected by mpox outbreaks have some of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the world. Talking points may emphasize that COVID-19 vaccines have been safely administered to more than 70 percent of the world’s population.

Parents may express concerns about the necessity and safety of hepatitis B vaccination due to the persistent myths and misconceptions about the vaccine. Messaging may highlight the seriousness of an infant hepatitis B infection, which causes chronic infections in 90 percent of cases and increases the risk of developing liver failure and cancer.  Messaging may also explain that doctors recommended the vaccine at birth to prevent transmission of the virus from mother to child and from contact with loved ones who may not be aware they have the disease. Emphasizing that the hepatitis B vaccine is one of the safest vaccines available, with an extremely low risk of serious side effects, is recommended.

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