A June 15 study of over 1 million veterans found that the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine reduced the risk of COVID-19-related cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and death. The protective effect was most pronounced among adults ages 75 and older and people with underlying health conditions. The study was widely discussed on social media, with many users noting that the results demonstrate the importance of vaccination beyond preventing severe infection. Some vaccine skeptics dismissed the study as “misleading” and accused those who shared it of promoting pro-vaccine propaganda.
Conversations about the study coincided with the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee unanimously voting on June 18 to recommend Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine for adults ages 50 and older after the agency initially refused to review the vaccine. While many online expressed support for the vote, others claimed without evidence that the vaccine is unsafe and has not been properly tested.
Recommendation
The narrative that COVID-19 vaccines are ineffective and unnecessary may dissuade people from getting vaccinated, particularly those who are at the highest risk of severe illness. Messaging may emphasize that major medical organizations continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccines for people ages 6 months and older to reduce their risk of severe illness, hospitalization, long COVID, and death. Health communicators may explain that a recent JAMA study—like other large-scale studies—found that COVID-19 vaccination reduced the risk of infection-related cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, for months after vaccination. Continuing to emphasize that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and the best way to prevent severe illness and long-term complications is recommended. Messaging may also explain that all vaccines, including mRNA vaccines, go through rigorous testing to make sure that they are safe.
Fact-checking sources: FactCheck.org, STAT
Communication resources: Find talking points and resources on COVID-19
