Alerts are categorized as high, medium, and low risk.
  • High risk alerts: Narratives with widespread circulation across communities, high engagement, exponential velocity, and a high potential to impact health decisions. Are often more memorable than accurate information.
  • Medium risk alerts: Narratives that are circulating in priority populations and pose some threat to health. Potential for further spread due to the tactics used or because of predicted velocity. Often highlights the questions and concerns of people.
  • Low risk alerts: Narratives that are limited in reach, don’t impact your community, or lack the qualities necessary for future spread. May indicate information gaps, confusion, or concerns.

Clips from Robert F. Kennery Jr.’s viral podcast interview continue circulating online, along with his many anti-vaccine claims. In one widely shared clip, Kennedy claims that pharmaceutical companies and mainstream media discredited ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine because they threatened a billion-dollar “vaccine enterprise.”

Recommendation: High Risk Read More +

A U.S. congressperson known for promoting COVID-19 vaccine misinformation alleged that COVID-19 vaccination is responsible for an increase in miscarriages and stillbirths. There is no credible evidence to support this claim.

Recommendation: High Risk Read More +

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the widely labeled anti-vaccine conspiracist and 2024 presidential candidate made headlines over the weekend after appearing on Joe Rogan, a popular podcast. RFK Jr., who founded one of the most prominent anti-vaccine organizations in America, promoted numerous vaccine myths in the interview, including claims that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and that childhood vaccines cause autism. A vaccine expert, Dr. Peter Hotez, criticized the podcast’s hosting site for profiting from the promotion of vaccine misinformation. In response, the podcast host and Elon Musk, the CEO of Twitter, a popular social media platform, challenged the expert to “debate” the presidential candidate on the podcast, which the expert refused. The ongoing conversation has drawn millions of engagements as vaccine opponents seized the opportunity to advance anti-vaccine talking points.

Recommendation: High Risk Read More +

A prominent anti-vaccine organization is promoting misinformation about the clinical trial for an RSV vaccine that the FDA recently recommended during pregnancy to protect newborns. The post claims that 12 infants died in the clinical trial, suggesting that the deaths were due to the vaccine their mothers received. However, the 12 deaths were in the control group of infants whose mothers received the placebo. The false claim is circulating on multiple social media platforms.

Recommendation: High Risk Read More +

A White House email that unintentionally contained outdated mask guidelines has sparked conversations about the effectiveness of wearing masks to protect against COVID-19. The email about an upcoming event at the White House stated that unvaccinated individuals are required to wear masks and socially distance at the event. Right-wing commentators referred to mask requirements as “insanity,” “propaganda,” and “useless.” A correction email was sent out shortly after the first, clarifying that masks are no longer required at the White House.

Recommendation: Low Risk Read More +

A far-right news site known for publishing vaccine misinformation and conspiracy theories claims that several autopsies confirm that COVID-19 vaccines cause sudden death related to myocarditis. The claim is based on a Korean study that found that, among the over 44 million vaccinated people in the country, eight died from what is believed to be vaccine-related myocarditis.

Recommendation: Medium Risk Read More +

In a trending video clip, an osteopathic doctor and COVID-19 conspiracy theorist repeats the debunked myth that the tetanus vaccine contains an ingredient that causes sterility in women as part of a depopulation plan.

Recommendation: Medium Risk Read More +

A social media account that claims to report “breaking news” recently promoted the false rumor that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines contain cancer-causing DNA. The post does not link to a source for the claim, but it appears to have originated in a video hosted by a conspiracy theory-promoting physician.

Recommendation: Medium Risk Read More +

A far-right news site published an article that repeated the false claim that COVID-19 vaccine boosters weaken the immune system. The article has been shared thousands of times on social media.

Recommendation: Medium Risk Read More +

The producers of a viral conspiracy film that falsely claimed COVID-19 vaccines cause people to die suddenly released a trailer for a second, equally unsubstantiated “documentary.” The new film repeats several conspiracy theories, including that COVID-19 vaccines are bioweapons, that governments planned the pandemic to control people, and that SARS-CoV-2 was developed by pharmaceutical research.

Recommendation: High Risk Read More +

Alerts are categorized as high, medium, and low risk.
  • High risk alerts: Narratives with widespread circulation across communities, high engagement, exponential velocity, and a high potential to impact health decisions. Are often more memorable than accurate information.
  • Medium risk alerts: Narratives that are circulating in priority populations and pose some threat to health. Potential for further spread due to the tactics used or because of predicted velocity. Often highlights the questions and concerns of people.
  • Low risk alerts: Narratives that are limited in reach, don’t impact your community, or lack the qualities necessary for future spread. May indicate information gaps, confusion, or concerns.
Vaccine Misinformation Guide

Get practical tips for addressing misinformation in this new guide. Click image to download.

Vaccine Misinformation Guide

Get practical tips for addressing misinformation in this new guide. Click image to download, or see highlights