Misinformation Alerts
Knowing what misinformation is being shared can help you generate effective messaging.
These insights are based on a combination of automated media monitoring and manual review by public health data analysts. Media data are publicly available data from many sources, such as social media, broadcast television, newspapers and magazines, news websites, online video, blogs, and more. Analysts from the Public Good Projects triangulate this data along with other data from fact checking organizations and investigative sources to provide an accurate, but not exhaustive, list of currently circulating misinformation.
Misinformation Alerts
Knowing what misinformation is being shared can help you generate effective messaging.
These insights are based on a combination of automated media monitoring and manual review by public health data analysts. Media data are publicly available data from many sources, such as social media, broadcast television, newspapers and magazines, news websites, online video, blogs, and more. Analysts from the Public Good Projects triangulate this data along with other data from fact checking organizations and investigative sources to provide an accurate, but not exhaustive, list of currently circulating misinformation.
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.
A White House email that unintentionally contained outdated mask guidelines has sparked conversations about the effectiveness of wearing masks to protect against COVID-19.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: 
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: 
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:
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:
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:
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: 
Social media posts in multiple languages are recirculating the conspiracy theory that a WHO pandemic treaty allows the organization to impose lockdowns, vaccine requirements, and quarantines on countries. Several large-follower accounts have repeated the claim.
Recommendation:
An FDA study of over 3 million children confirmed that COVID-19 vaccines are safe for children and adolescents aged 5 to 17. The study found a slight increase in myocarditis risk in older children the week after vaccination, primarily in boys aged 12 to 17. Anti-vaccine sites falsely claim that the study proves vaccines are unsafe for children.
Recommendation:
Posts trending in multiple languages claim that a WHO study found that COVID-19 vaccines cause multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease in which the immune system attacks nerve cells. The posts include screenshots of the study falsely attributed to the WHO website.
Recommendation:
An article circulating on social media claims that childhood vaccines are the primary driver of the so-called "autism epidemic." The article falsely claims 100 “top scientists” agree that vaccines cause autism. The source of the claim appears to be an anecdote from a blog post authored by a tech entrepreneur and anti-vaccine conspiracist.
Recommendation:
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.