Last week, WHO declared the mpox outbreak in Africa a public health emergency of international concern as several central and west African nations face rising cases of the disease. Sweden, Pakistan, and the Philippines have also reported mpox cases. The declarations set off a wave of conspiracy theories and debates, many linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines. Several popular posts falsely claim that mpox is a side effect of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, with some recycling the debunked myth that mpox is an autoimmune skin disease triggered by vaccination. Other posts doubt the existence of mpox and claim that it is part of a global conspiracy to force vaccines and control the population. Trending videos claim that a mpox “lockdown” is imminent.
False and misleading claims about mpox’s origin, transmission, and severity may negatively impact efforts to contain global outbreaks, including vaccination campaigns. Debunking messaging may emphasize that there is no connection between mpox and COVID-19 vaccination, as evidenced by the fact that the disease was discovered decades before COVID-19 vaccines existed. Messaging may also explain that the countries most affected by mpox outbreaks have some of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the world. Talking points may emphasize that COVID-19 vaccines have been safely administered to more than 70 percent of the world’s population.
