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. This may discourage patients from getting the currently-available updated COVID-19 vaccine and updated COVID-19 vaccines that become available in the future. Messaging may emphasize that COVID-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested and have been determined to be safe, as adverse effects are extremely rare. The CDC recommends the updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 6 months and older.