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.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently released a video to “set the record straight” on his vaccine stance. The video focuses on side effects and alleged vaccine-related injuries and deaths, claiming that these issues are ignored. The anti-vaccine figure appeared at a political rally alongside former President Trump, who vowed to collaborate with Kennedy on a panel of “experts” to investigate chronic disease and childhood illnesses.
Recommendation: 
A well-known vaccine opponent is facing criticism from other anti-vaccine figures after he falsely claimed that ivermectin use is linked to infertility. Some accounts called the statement a “betrayal” and touted the anti-parasitic drug as a miracle drug that can fight cancer and COVID-19, while others claimed that attacks on ivermectin are part of a plot to promote mRNA vaccines and block it as a low-cost cancer treatment.
Recommendation: 
Several popular anti-vaccine accounts are using recent studies to falsely claim that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are more damaging to the heart than COVID-19 infection. Some posts link to an article falsely claiming that a new study found that COVID-19 vaccines are the sole cause of an increase in heart failure in children.
Recommendation: 
A website known for posting hoax stories published an article falsely claiming that Marin County, California, defied the CDC childhood immunization schedule in 2000 and now has a record decline in autism rates. The article cites a 2020 study that found autism rates plateaued or decreased in wealthy California counties, including Marin County. Social media accounts are sharing the article, claiming that the CDC is ignoring evidence that vaccines cause autism.
Recommendation:
Last week, WHO declared the mpox outbreak in Africa a public health emergency of international concern as several central and west African nations face rising cases of the disease. Sweden, Pakistan, and the Philippines have also reported mpox cases. The declarations set off a wave of conspiracy theories and debates, many linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines. Several popular posts falsely claim that mpox is a side effect of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, with some recycling the debunked myth that mpox is an autoimmune skin disease triggered by vaccination. Other posts doubt the existence of mpox and claim that it is part of a global conspiracy to force vaccines and control the population. Trending videos claim that a mpox “lockdown” is imminent.
Recommendation:
Reports over the weekend prior to this week’s FDA approval of updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer sparked an online debate about the necessity and effectiveness of the vaccines. Several pro-vaccine social media users expressed frustration that the updated Novavax vaccine won’t be approved on the same timeline, with some posts accusing the FDA of “withholding” that vaccine. These posters insist that the non-mRNA vaccine is the safer, more effective option. Some posts rejected updated COVID-19 vaccines outright and doubted their safety and effectiveness, while others posts voiced distrust in the vaccine approval process.
Recommendation:
A tragic August 9 plane crash in Cascavel, Brazil claimed the lives of all aboard, including several medical professionals traveling to an oncology conference as part of their continuing medical education. Vaccine opponents have seized on the tragedy to falsely claim that the deceased doctors had recently vowed to release evidence at the conference linking mRNA vaccines to so-called turbo cancer. Several viral posts speculate that the doctors were targeted because of their research in a plot to cover up alleged COVID-19 vaccine risks.
Recommendation:
The former CEO of YouTube died of lung cancer, setting off a wave of conspiracy theories claiming that the death was caused by so-called “turbo cancer.” According to the former executive’s family, she lived with non-small cell lung cancer for two years before her death.
Recommendation:
A post with over 8 million views and 100,000 engagements promotes a study that claims to have found that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines contain “unauthorized” nanoparticles that self-assemble into complex structures that cause blood clots, turbo cancer, and autoimmune disease. Several high-follower anti-vaccine accounts are circulating the study.
Recommendation:
A new, non-peer reviewed report claims that COVID-19 vaccines are linked to higher excess mortality. Social media posts are sharing the report with the false claims that the vaccines have “no benefit” and that higher vaccination rates correspond to higher excess mortality.
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.
Monthly Misinformation Report
Explore Public Good Project’s report highlighting high-level health trends. This report captures information from May 6th – July 7th, 2024.
2023 Trends in COVID-19
Vaccine Opposition
This new report details the trends in 2023 discussions about COVID-19 vaccines, identifying both persistent, recurring themes from previous years and new themes that emerged within the year. The goal is to equip public health professionals with information to help navigate future discussions around COVID-19 vaccines.
Categorizing Public Conversation
on Vaccine Opposition to Inform
Health Communications Strategies
This new report leverages PGP’s advanced media monitoring platforms and expertise in vaccine opposition to categorize narratives into patterns. These patterns can help health communicators plan messaging approaches and strategies to improve vaccine uptake.
Vaccine Misinformation Guide
Get practical tips for addressing misinformation in this new guide. Click image to download, or see highlights.
