Video of alleged vaccine injury story goes viral
False claims spread online about routine and HPV vaccines while regional discussions focused on a rare rabies death and a non-infectious vaccine strain measles case.
Conversations about a newly approved at-home flu vaccine and unverified claims of COVID-19 vaccine mixups trended online this week. Whooping cough and declining childhood immunization dominated regional discussions.
This week, videos of a woman who claims to have suffered severe vaccine-related injuries are trending, with millions of views across social media platforms. Vaccine opponents are using the story to question vaccine safety and mandates. Meanwhile, the FDA’s approval of the at-home, self-administration of an existing nasal spray flu vaccine has sparked conversations about vaccine accessibility and safety. Finally, stories about people who allegedly received the wrong COVID-19 vaccine are circulating online.
Regional vaccine conversations focused on whooping cough outbreaks, boosting childhood immunization, health professionals who spread false health claims, and COVID-19 vaccine access.
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What’s trending nationally in vaccine conversation:
A woman with the rare blood disorder paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) claims that vaccinations required before her treatment triggered severe symptoms of the disease, including abnormal blood clotting and skin discoloration. The woman claims in a series of videos she was required to get DTaP (which is administered to children, while adults receive Tdap), pneumococcal, and meningococcal vaccines before receiving treatment. In the videos, she also indicates that her family is anti-vaccine, that she had never received a vaccine before age 23, and that prior to the flare-up, she had refused treatment for her condition, which can be fatal. Some PNH treatments cannot be administered to people who haven’t received certain vaccines because the treatments drastically increase the risk of getting these infections, which can be life-threatening to PNH patients. Additionally, medical records that the woman released confirm that when her flare-up occurred, she had a viral infection that is known to trigger severe PNH symptoms. Vaccine opponents are circulating the story with images of the woman’s symptoms, claiming it is proof that vaccines are dangerous and shouldn’t be mandated. Some people also appear to falsely suggest that the woman developed PNH after being vaccinated, despite her saying she was diagnosed months before. The story is spreading rapidly online, with the videos receiving millions of views across multiple social media and video streaming platforms.
On September 20, the FDA approved the nasal spray flu vaccine FluMist for self-administration or caregiver administration for individuals 2 to 49, the first vaccine that can be administered without a health care provider. The self-administered vaccine won’t be available until at least next flu season. Coverage and discussion of the vaccine have been largely positive, with some calling it a big win for public health and celebrating that improved accessibility may increase vaccine uptake. Some vaccine opponents have criticized the approval, claiming that the vaccine isn’t safe and “sheds a bunch.” One post accuses AstraZeneca, the company that makes FluMist, of trying to make up for money lost from its COVID-19 vaccine. News coverage of the FDA approval has also been misleading, as some headlines suggest that the vaccine will be available for self-administration this flu season. Vaccine opponents are already attempting to smear the safety and effectiveness of the self-administered vaccine. These attacks will likely increase when the vaccine becomes available.
On multiple social media platforms, people are sharing stories of being “secretly” given mRNA COVID-19 vaccines after requesting the protein-based Novavax vaccine. Several posts warn people to check before accepting a vaccine, while others suggest suing the pharmacies for malpractice. A few posts insinuate that mRNA vaccines are being forced on people. Most threads on the topic repeated false claims that the Novavax vaccine is safer because it is a “traditional” vaccine. The posts, which are circulating among COVID-19-conscious people who are likely to get vaccinated, highlight the potentially widespread belief that Novavax is safer than or superior to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
Read the fact checks:
- Lead Stories: Fact Check: No evidence video shows Alexis Lorenze suffering typical reaction to DTaP, meningitis, pneumonia vaccines
- Yale Medicine: Comparing the COVID-19 Vaccines: How Are They Different?
- Live Science: At-home flu vaccine approved by FDA — what to know
What’s happening in the Northeast:
A panel of New Jersey lawmakers approved a bill that would allow professional boards to penalize health care providers who spread health misinformation. If enacted, health professionals who make health-related claims that are “false and contradicted by contemporary scientific consensus” could face misconduct charges. Critics of the bill argue that scientific consensus changes over time and is not always easy to interpret. Other critics assert that the law is unconstitutional, noting that a similar law in California was blocked and ultimately repealed because of questions about its constitutionality.
What’s happening in the South:
A September 15 article explored the challenges and successes of improving childhood immunization rates in Louisville, Kentucky, amid national declines. The article highlighted the state’s and city’s short-lived bump in immunization in the 2022 - 2023 school year due to make-up vaccination campaigns. However, rates declined the following year, a symptom of broader challenges facing immunization efforts nationwide, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation, and barriers to health care access. Some social media users dismissed the article as “big pharma propaganda” and argued in favor of “parental rights.”
What’s happening in the Midwest:
Health officials across the Midwest are sounding the alarm about rising whooping cough cases in the region, particularly among unvaccinated teens. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported a tenfold increase in cases this year, nearly half in adolescents ages 11 to 18. Whooping cough cases in Nebraska have nearly tripled so far in 2024 compared to all of 2023. News of the rising cases sparked debate on social media about legal action against parents who refuse to vaccinate their children. Some online users expressed concerns that exemptions for vaccinations required for enrollment in school and daycare may be contributing to the spike in cases. Wisconsin’s vaccine exemption rate is more than twice the national median.
What’s happening in the West:
Beginning in October, California will extend its free COVID-19 vaccine program for uninsured or underinsured residents. The program will provide vaccines to individuals who would have been covered by the federal Bridge Access Program, a free vaccine program that ended in August. Although health officials and local media are promoting the program, it has garnered little attention on social media.
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
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.
Vaccine opponents often use distressing images of health conditions to advance false narratives about vaccine safety. Debunking messaging may emphasize that there is no evidence of any connection between the woman’s condition and any vaccine. Messaging may also explain that health authorities carefully monitor potential adverse effects of vaccines and that it’s up to medical professionals to determine if any adverse events have occurred. Talking points may highlight how anti-vaccine advocates baselessly link vaccines to health issues with no evidence.
Rhetoric that sows doubt about specific vaccines can impact other vaccines and contribute to overall distrust in health authorities. Prebunking messaging may explain that FluMist is a nasal spray flu vaccine that is very effective and may be a good option for people under 50 who want to avoid needles. Messaging may also emphasize that the vaccine has been on the market for more than two decades without serious safety concerns. Talking points may highlight that at-home administration may help make flu vaccination more convenient and accessible.
Claims that pharmacies are giving people the wrong vaccine through negligence or malice may deter people who would otherwise seek COVID-19 vaccination. Prebunking messaging may explain that the updated Novavax vaccine, like updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, is a better match to fight against currently circulating COVID-19 variants. Debunking messaging may emphasize that there are no bad options among approved COVID-19 vaccines. All three vaccines are safe and provide effective protection against COVID-19. Talking points may also explain that COVID-19 vaccines are rigorously tested and monitored for safety, with no evidence of widespread health concerns.
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