Misinformation Alerts

Misinformation about the HPV vaccine has increased in recent weeks as social media accounts with large numbers of followers promote disproven claims about the vaccine. The potential for this misinformation to lead to vaccine hesitancy increases its risk. Messaging may emphasize that, while it is true that rates of some HPV-related cancers have increased in recent years, that trend began before the vaccine rollout and does not appear to be affecting the population targeted by HPV vaccines. Among young women, in particular, cervical cancer rates have decreased significantly since the vaccine’s approval. Explaining that multiple large-scale studies found that vaccinated women have lower cervical cancer rates, including a U.K. study that found an 87 percent reduction in cervical cancer among women who were vaccinated at age 12, is recommended. Messaging may also explain that, in the 17 years since the HPV vaccine’s approval, no serious safety concerns have been reported.

Fact-Checking Source(s):

• American Cancer Society, AP, Reuters

The so-called whistleblower has been making baseless claims for two years. In the nearly two and a half years since the vaccines became available, there has been no evidence to support any of the claims made in these posts. The ingredients of all COVID-19 vaccines have been available online for over two years. Independent analysis of the vaccines has shown that they do not contain any toxic ingredients, including graphene oxide, heavy metals, tracking devices, or parasites. No COVID-19 vaccines were developed using CRISPR. The vaccines underwent rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness before they were authorized for use.

Fact Checking Source(s): AP, Health Feedback

Messaging may explain that ICD-10 codes date back to 2015 and are used to consistently classify thousands of medical diagnoses and symptoms in hospitals worldwide. Emphasizing that the codes are important for monitoring national and international health trends and have been assigned to many vaccines is recommended, as is clarifying that WHO introduced several new ICD codes in 2021 related to COVID-19 diagnosis, complications, and vaccination status. These codes are used to document health issues that arise after COVID-19 infection or vaccination.

Fact-checking sources:

• Reuters, USA Today

The persistence and high engagement of this misinformation increases its risk. Debunking messaging may explain that anti-vaccine advocates have claimed for decades that vaccines cause cancer. No studies have ever supported these claims, which are based on speculation, anecdotes, and unverified data. Emphasizing that there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and that they have never been linked to any cancer is recommended.

Fact-Checking Source(s):

• PolitiFact, USA Today

Emphasizing that vaccines have been monitored for safety and effectiveness for decades, and there is no evidence that any routine vaccine causes chronic illnesses in children, is recommended. While it is true that reported rates of chronic illness rates have increased in the last 40 years, the sources of the two numbers were looking at different types of data and can’t be used for comparison. The definition of chronic illnesses in children varies widely. Some definitions include only illnesses that cause disability, while others include seasonal allergies, chronic ear infections, and overweight BMIs.

Fact Checking Source(s): FactCheck.org