South

As cases of respiratory viruses rise, local media outlets in Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky are urging residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19, flu, and RSV. In comments on these articles, some social media users falsely claimed that vaccines are dangerous and ineffective, and others falsely claimed that disease...

Several social media users recently alleged that Texas Children’s Hospital sent out an email to parents of patients stating that they will no longer treat unvaccinated or undervaccinated children. The hospital has stated to media outlets that the email is illegitimate. One of the top social media posts sharing...

A Florida senator introduced S.B. 636, which expands vaccine exemptions. The bill states that no vaccine can be mandated for employment, enrollment in school, or licensure unless the vaccine has undergone trials for at least one year against a control group and the vaccine manufacturer is willing to assume...

North Carolina and Mississippi recently recorded their first pediatric flu deaths of the 2023-2024 flu season. Additionally, North Carolina reported five flu-associated deaths in adults. In response, state health officials have called for parents to vaccinate their children against the flu and other respiratory illnesses and have provided guidance to...

Texas signed into law S.B. 7, which prohibits private employers from implementing COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Many popular social media posts celebrated the law, and some called for further legal protections against mandates, particularly for students. Others argued that the bills did not go far enough and should protect against...

In South Florida, over a dozen parents filed a lawsuit after their children suffered from infections following vaccination appointments in summer 2021. The children were of varying ages and received different vaccines, but all went to the same doctor. While the actual cause of the infection is unknown, parents are...

The Florida Department of Health has issued updated COVID-19 vaccine guidance to health care providers. Messaging continues to recommend against mRNA COVID-19 boosters for those under the age of 65. The guidance also urges doctors to address concerns with patients about waning effectiveness of the vaccine over time, risks of...

A Mississippi group is questioning the efficacy of flu vaccines. In a social media post, the group argues that the flu virus has persisted, despite the vaccine being available for 82 years. The post suggests this means the flu vaccine is ineffective. Some social media users expressed disagreement, attributing the...

In a special session, Texas senators introduced legislation prohibiting private employers from implementing COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The Senate passed the bill, and it is now under review by the House Committee. Politicians in support of the bill stated it would return medical freedom to Texans. Critics of the bill stated...

A Texas college of medicine has enforced a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for its students, faculty, and staff, sparking concerns over diminishing health freedom within the state. Despite the Texas governor’s opposition to COVID-19-related restrictions, publicly funded institutions can still enforce vaccine mandates. In response to public pressure and calls...