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.
An article on a right-wing news site baselessly claims that Pfizer hid information about myocarditis risks from the public and that the company conspired with the U.S. government to commit “vaccine fraud.” The post also repeats the myth that COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials were rushed and skipped steps. The article has been widely shared on social media, with the most popular post racking up over 17,000 engagements.
Recommendation:
Medium Risk Read More +
Pfizer documents show that the company followed FDA guidelines and that all appropriate measures were taken during the clinical trial and authorization process to ensure that the vaccine was safe and effective. Adverse events and deaths that occurred during the clinical trial period were reported to the FDA, including those that were unrelated to the vaccine. Informational materials may emphasize that vaccines have been rigorously tested to make sure that they are safe for all vaccinated individuals, including children, and that adverse side effects are extremely rare. Reminding people that millions have died from COVID-19 and that the vaccines are our best way to keep more people from dying is also recommended, as is explaining that a person is at a much higher risk of myocarditis from a COVID-19 infection than they are from the vaccine. Fact Checking Source(s):
In a long social media thread with thousands of reposts, a young woman describes a debilitating illness that she claims is an injury from the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Although the thread itself does not include any misinformation, only unverified claims, it has received considerable attention from vaccine opponents who are using her story to discourage vaccination. Notably, the original poster was not diagnosed with any vaccine injury and says she doesn't know if she may have caught COVID-19 before or between her vaccine doses. The responses to the thread are full of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccine safety and fake COVID-19 cures.
Recommendation:
High Risk Read More +
Serious adverse events after vaccination are extremely rare, and it’s up to health and legal authorities to determine whether an adverse side effect was caused by vaccination. Responding with empathy and acknowledging the concerns about vaccination is recommended, as is explaining how vaccination will help protect both the vaccinated individual and their loved ones. Informational materials may also emphasize that vaccines have been rigorously tested to make sure that they are safe for all vaccinated individuals. Explaining that over 4.6 billion people have been safely and fully vaccinated around the world is also recommended. In addition, explaining that stories about vaccine side effects are often drawn from unverified reports that have not yet been investigated by health officials is recommended, as is continuing to explain what mild side effects people can expect after vaccination. Fact-Checking Source(s):
A social media account that claims to be run by a physician and frequently posts anti-vaccine and right-wing conspiracy theories has posted that they have never seen a vaccine more damaging than the COVID-19 vaccine. The post was shared over 8,600 times and has over 12,000 engagements. It is unclear if the account is run by a real doctor as it uses the name of a 19th-century Native American physician and reformer.
Recommendation:
Medium Risk Read More +
Bad actors online continue to spread false rumors about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and their potential side effects, often to protest public safety messages. Counter this misinformation by emphasizing that the vaccines have also been proven safe, with over 60 percent of the world’s population fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Messaging may emphasize the amount of time and research that goes into the vaccine development process. In addition, explaining that stories about vaccine side effects are often drawn from unverified reports that have not yet been investigated by health officials is recommended, as is continuing to explain what mild side effects people can expect after vaccination. Fact Checking Source(s):
A conspiracy news site published an article falsely claiming that monkeypox is being used to cover up so-called “vaccine-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome” (VAIDS) caused by COVID-19 vaccines. The article, which has been widely circulated on social media, falsely claims that monkeypox is similar to a rare autoimmune blistering disease that was listed in Pfizer documents as a potential vaccine side effect. The site making the false claim regularly misrepresents and manipulates data to support false claims about COVID-19 vaccines.
Recommendation:
Medium Risk Read More +
Monkeypox is a documented condition caused by a known virus that is unrelated to HIV or COVID-19. It’s also not an autoimmune condition, but a viral infection related to smallpox. VAIDS is not a real condition, and monkeypox is distinct from autoimmune blistering disease. Continuing to emphasize that research into the most recent monkeypox cases is ongoing is recommended, as is explaining that there is no known connection between COVID-19 vaccines and monkeypox. Fact Checking Source(s):
A blog post written by a conspiracist who claimed previously that COVID-19 vaccines contain demonic trackers is trending on social media. The post, which has been shared thousands of times, features screenshots of a social media thread that asks people who have received a COVID-19 booster if they are experiencing chest pain. The post also falsely claims that a majority of vaccinated people are likely to have myocarditis. All the claims in the blog post and social media thread are unsubstantiated and anecdotal.
Recommendation:
High Risk Read More +
There is understandable and widespread concern about the potential for rare side effects after vaccination. Responding with empathy and acknowledging concerns about side effects is recommended, as is explaining how vaccination will help protect communities. Emphasizing that myocarditis is an extremely rare side effect of COVID-19 vaccines, and most populations are at far higher risk of myocarditis from COVID-19 infections than vaccination. In rare cases of vaccine-related myocarditis, the condition is usually mild and quickly resolved. Fact-Checking Source(s):
A South Africa-based organization that has opposed COVID-19 mitigation measures claims in a recent report that COVID-19 vaccination causes a “massive increase” in myocarditis. The claim is based on an analysis of VAERS reports of myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination.
Recommendation:
Medium Risk Read More +
There is considerable confusion over VAERS and other self-reported adverse vaccine tracking systems. In addition, anti-vaccine groups, conspiracy groups, and individuals practicing armchair epidemiology use this information in inappropriate ways. Public health talking points should continue to regularly promote vaccines and their safety and efficacy, and familiarity with systems like VAERS and Yellow Card is encouraged for public health communicators. Fact Checking Source(s):
A radio host who is known for promoting anti-vaccine misinformation falsely claimed that boosters can weaken the immune system. The video has been viewed over 61,000 times.
Recommendation:
Medium Risk Read More +
There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines or boosters weaken or impair the immune system. A common myth about vaccines is that it's possible to over-immunize and negatively affect the immune system. Messaging may emphasize that vaccines and boosters strengthen the immune system’s ability to fight COVID-19, making fully vaccinated and boosted people less likely to contract COVID-19 and well-protected against severe illness and death. Fact Checking Source(s):
A post on a right-wing site that frequently publishes fake stories falsely claims that the U.S. military found pesticides in vials containing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The post cites an anonymous source in the office of a Marine Corps general. In a statement, the Department of Defense press office denied the claim as completely fabricated.
Recommendation:
Low Risk Read More +
Responding to each piece of misinformation may detract from priority talking points, but communication materials may be updated to indicate that the ingredients lists for the COVID-19 vaccines are publicly available. Fact-checking sources:
A Canadian author shared a video of Bill Gates discussing COVID-19 vaccines with the accusation that the billionaire philanthropist is “big on depopulation,” insinuating that COVID-19 vaccines are part of a depopulation plan. The video has been viewed over 1.3 million times and the post received thousands of engagements. Far from being tools for depopulation, COVID-19 vaccines have been safely administered to over two-thirds of the global population and saved millions of lives in the process.
Recommendation:
Passive Response Read More +
The conspiracy theory that vaccines are part of a depopulation plan has persisted for decades and has been used by bad actors to discourage vaccination. In some cases, as with Black and brown communities in the United States, concerns regarding medical experimentation are understandable. Unethical and immoral medical experimentation, including drug testing, has occurred in the past and requires vigilance to prevent today. Experts agree that depopulation conspiracies can only be combated by first acknowledging that serious abuses have occurred and then explaining what safeguards exist now. Emphasizing that COVID-19 vaccine development is a global effort, with more people enrolled in research and clinical trials than ever before for any other type of vaccine, is recommended. Fact Checking Source(s):
A right-wing political commentator with over 63,000 followers is promoting the conspiracy theory that claimed the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines are part of a “Great Reset,” a plan by global leaders to control the world’s population. The post claims the pandemic was phase one of the plan and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and food and fuel shortages are part of phase two. The post has been viewed 400,000 times and received nearly 2,000 engagements.
Recommendation:
Passive Response Read More +
Anti-vaccine conspiracists often latch onto current events, like the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in order to find new audiences and reach. The COVID-19 pandemic is part of a long history of infectious disease crises, similar to the 1918 influenza and the polio epidemics of the 1940s and 1950s. Safety measures to reduce disease spread and the development of vaccines to fight the disease are normal, life-saving responses to viral pandemics, not signs of a global takeover plot. Continuing to emphasize that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and rigorously tested is recommended. Fact Checking Source(s):
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, or see highlights.