Social media users outraged by Texas provision limiting the promotion of COVID-19 vaccines
A provision in the Texas State Budget prohibits promoting or advertising COVID-19 vaccines in 2024 and 2025, but still allows entities from the state health department to distribute COVID-19 vaccines. A recent news article about the provision has sparked discussion online, with most posts and comments advocating against it.
Recommendation:
While social media users are primarily expressing concerns about the provision and are in support of COVID-19 vaccines, conversations about it may provide a platform for vaccine opponents who falsely claim COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe. Communication campaigns promoting the COVID-19 vaccine may emphasize that COVID-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested and have been determined to be safe, as adverse effects are extremely rare, and that staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines prevents severe illness, hospitalization, death, and long COVID.