Manipulated image attributed to CDC claims vaccine refusal is a “form of racism”

In April, a manipulated graphic shared on social media and falsely attributed to the CDC stated that refusing COVID-19 vaccines is a form of racism because COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted communities of color. The exact origin of the manipulated graphic is unknown but it seems to take a well-intentioned argument for vaccination, namely that vaccination protects you and others around you, and then promotes a false equivalency, namely that not getting immunized is a racist act. Individuals’ motivations for getting vaccinated vary, as do individuals’ motivations for not getting vaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy is a spectrum, as is vaccine confidence. What motivates one person may not motivate another, but attempting to motivate immunization through accusations has not been shown to be an effective strategy in community health.

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The Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) was formed in 2020 to coordinate and amplify public health messaging on COVID-19 and increase Americans’ confidence in guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health officials.

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