Several posters responded to news of young children dying from flu complications by baselessly claiming that the COVID-19 vaccines weakened the children’s immune systems. One post also blames masks and social distancing for the alleged “damaged immune systems.”
False claims that doubt the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and the necessity of flu vaccines may cause hesitancy about both. Prebunking messaging may explain that, every year, the flu kills 50 to 100 children and hospitalizes thousands. That’s why it is so important to vaccinate children against the flu. Debunking messaging may emphasize that there is no evidence to support the claim that COVID-19 vaccines weaken the immune system. This is false speculation promoted by those who oppose vaccines.
