The negative response to the new guidance reveals a lack of confidence in public health entities. Debunking messaging may explain that the CDC never claimed that COVID-19 is the same as the flu. In fact, a CDC representative stated, “Let’s be clear. Covid-19 is not the flu. It still causes more serious illness and leads to more lasting effects.” Moreover, the CDC recommends vaccines for all three respiratory viruses for those who are eligible. 

Messaging may also emphasize that the world has evolved dramatically in the four years since COVID-19’s discovery. While the contagiousness of COVID-19 has not changed, public health guidelines have had to evolve over time, so the CDC has issued general respiratory virus isolation recommendations that apply to people who are sick with COVID-19 and as well as people who are sick with other respiratory illnesses. The virus has also undergone countless mutations, and most of the population has gained some level of immunity from vaccines, infection, or both. Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines remains essential in preventing severe illness, death, hospitalization, and long COVID.

Fact Checking Source(s):  CDC

The potential for the discourse to increase vaccine hesitancy in older adults increases its risk. Messaging may emphasize that older adults are the most vulnerable population to serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. COVID-19 continues to hospitalize and kill thousands of people weekly, the vast majority of them people 65 and older. Last year, people 65 and older made up over 85 percent of all U.S. COVID-19 deaths. Talking points may also highlight that the 2023-2024 monovalent vaccine dramatically decreased the risk of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization in high-risk adults.

Fact-Checking Source(s): National Council on Aging

The large audience of the interview increases its risk. Debunking messaging may emphasize that the claim that COVID-19 vaccines are linked to millions of deaths has been thoroughly debunked. Messaging may also explain that global data contradicts the claim that COVID-19 vaccines cause excess deaths, including a 2023 analysis of data from 178 nations that found that higher COVID-19 vaccination coverage was associated with lower all-cause mortality rates.

Fact Checking Source(s): Global Vaccine Data Network, AFP 

The safety study is being used to spread the false narratives that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and have more risks than previously acknowledged. These narratives—based on deliberate misrepresentations of legitimate data—may weaken public confidence in vaccines. Talking points may emphasize that the largest global safety study to date confirmed just how safe COVID-19 vaccines are and the extreme rarity of serious adverse reactions. The study’s large scale allowed for the detection of risks that smaller studies may miss because they are so rare. Messaging may highlight that a study that found extremely rare risks, such as seven cases of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis out of 36 million Moderna vaccinations, does not support the false narrative that COVID-19 vaccines cause widespread death and serious health complications. Messaging may also explain that the safety of COVID-19 vaccines has been established in numerous large-scale studies, including the recent global safety study.

Fact Checking Source(s): AFP, Health Feedback 

Misrepresentations of legitimate research fuel the persistent false narrative that COVID-19 vaccines are less safe than the public was led to believe. Debunking messaging may emphasize that the study did not identify new COVID-19 vaccine risks but rather confirmed previously reported risks like myocarditis and the extreme rarity of such events. Prebunking messaging may also continue to emphasize that the risk of serious adverse reactions after COVID-19 vaccination is far lower than the risk of COVID-19 infection.

Fact Checking Source(s): Scripps News, University of Auckland, IDSA