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 statement from a Supreme Court justice has been trending nationally, particularly among Black and refugee communities. In a dissenting opinion, the justice referenced religious groups that object to COVID-19 vaccines that “were developed using cell lines derived from aborted children.”
Recommendation: 
During an interview on an American far-right news program, Brazilian President Jair Bolsanaro apologized for deaths that he baselessly claims were caused by the COVID-19 vaccine.
Recommendation:
A post falsely claims that Pfizer suspended its vaccine testing in animals because they kept dying. The post was shared over 10,000 times before being marked as misleading on social media.
Recommendation: 
An image shared on social media falsely claims that the COVID-19 vaccine mandate is damaging the U.S. military because so many service members have refused to get vaccinated. The post received over 8,700 engagements.
Recommendation:
A statement from a Supreme Court justice has been trending nationally, particularly among Black and refugee communities. In a dissenting opinion, the justice referenced religious groups that object to COVID-19 vaccines that “were developed using cell lines derived from aborted children.”
Recommendation:
A post in a large social media group for people who claim to have adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines promotes the myth that the vaccines negatively impact fertility. The post questions why vaccinated people are concerned about Roe v. Wade being overturned since they “probably won’t be able to get pregnant.”
Recommendation: 
A popular figure in the anti-vaccine community best known for saying that a detox bath could remove COVID-19 vaccines from the body claims to have been in a “near fatal” plane crash recently. Some conspiracists are claiming that the crash was an attempt on the individual’s life in response to her opposition to the COVID-19 vaccines. A social media post suggesting that the plane crash was not a coincidence received over 11,000 engagements. The apparent crash appears to match the description of a recent plane crash at Roosevelt Memorial Airport. There is no evidence that any foul play was involved in the crash, which reportedly occurred after the pilot reported engine trouble.
Recommendation:
A recent study of 37 sperm donors found that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine caused a temporary decline in sperm count immediately after vaccination. The study was shared on a social media platform where it received over 17,000 engagements and 1,500 replies in three days. Some responses expressed concern that the study proves the vaccines impair sperm quality or may have a lasting effect on fertility.
Recommendation:
A video baselessly claims that COVID-19 vaccination reduces breast milk production, resulting in the formula shortage in the U.S. The video was viewed over 17,000 times before it was flagged for containing false information.
Recommendation:
A flawed study that is recirculating on social media claims that an increase in emergency calls for cardiovascular events in people under age 40 appears to coincide with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in Israel. The study was widely shared on social media when it was first published in April and is once again being shared with the misleading claim that it proves that COVID-19 vaccines cause cardiovascular issues in young adults.
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.