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 right-wing political commentator and talk show host has released a video series that promotes misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines. The first episode focuses on the HPV vaccine Gardasil, falsely claiming that it causes cancer and that it is “pushed” solely for pharmaceutical profit.

Recommendation: High Risk Read More +

A medical freedom group recently promoted misinformation and speculation about the tetanus vaccine, including the long-disproven myth that it is dangerous during pregnancy and causes infertility. This false claim has repeatedly been promoted by vaccine opponents worldwide. 

Recommendation: Medium Risk Read More +

An anti-vaccine account claims vaccine injuries are underreported, based on the unsupported claim that less than 1 percent of adverse reactions are reported to VAERS.  The post includes images of children allegedly injured or killed by vaccines, including cases of SIDS and autism. 

Recommendation: Medium Risk Read More +

A Health Canada survey found that parents are significantly less likely to accept recommended childhood immunizations as a result of the pandemic. The proportion of parents refusing some or all vaccines has nearly doubled since 2017, increasing from 12 to 22 percent. A popular social media account shared the study and claimed that their children won’t receive any vaccines because “Covid has opened my eyes.”

Recommendation: Medium Risk Read More +

Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton is partnering with WHO and the Gates Foundation for The Big Catch-Up, a global campaign to vaccinate millions of children who have missed routine immunizations during the pandemic. An article about the campaign falsely claims it will “force jab” unvaccinated children. The article’s headline includes a fake quote falsely attributed to Clinton.

Recommendation: High Risk Read More +

An organization known for opposing vaccines published an article offering proof of a well-established fact that has been public knowledge for three years: The Department of Defense, in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, helped fund the development of COVID-19 vaccines. The organization claims that the contract between the DoD and Moderna was a “military-backed countermeasure.”

Recommendation: Medium Risk Read More +

A popular anti-vaccine account shared a quote from a prominent anti-vaccine figure and current presidential candidate claiming that the CDC profits off vaccines. The quote falsely states that the CDC is a “vaccine company” that makes billions of dollars off vaccines each year.

Recommendation: High Risk Read More +

Thousands of social media users have shared an image of an infant whose parent claims she was severely injured by routine vaccinations. A screenshot of a social media post claims that the child experienced vomiting, high fever, and a seizure shortly after receiving her 12-month vaccines. 

Recommendation: Medium Risk Read More +

A conservative website published an article questioning why the U.S. government is continuing to encourage “failed” COVID-19 vaccination. The article claims that the vaccines are ineffective because they didn’t stop COVID-19 transmission. 

Recommendation: Medium Risk Read More +

A website founded by an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist claims that the FDA and Pfizer covered up data showing that the COVID-19 vaccine causes birth defects and other risks during pregnancy. 

Recommendation: Medium 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