Skepticism abounds over updated COVID-19 vaccines and mpox
This week, false claims about infant hepatitis B and COVID-19 vaccines circulated while regional debates about vaccine mandates and the summer COVID-19 surge persist.
This week, false claims about infant hepatitis B and COVID-19 vaccines circulated while regional debates about vaccine mandates and the summer COVID-19 surge persist.
This week’s online conversations about vaccines were dominated by skepticism and conspiracy theories about the safety and necessity of routine vaccines. Updated COVID-19 vaccines and hepatitis B vaccines for infants remained a topic of controversy on social media, as news of mpox outbreaks reignited myths about a link between that disease and COVID-19 vaccines.
Regional conversations focused on debates about school and employer vaccine requirements, the end of free vaccines during the summer COVID-19 surge, and mpox safety guidance.
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What’s trending nationally in vaccine conversation:
Weekend reports that the FDA may sign off on updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer as soon as this week 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” the vaccine and insisting 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 voiced distrust in the vaccine approval process.
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 in English and Spanish 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 TikToks claim that a mpox “lockdown” is imminent. Contrary to some online claims, WHO does not recommend lockdowns for mpox and does not have the authority to enforce public health restrictions.
On August 16, a popular right-wing webcast featured an interview with a physician who argues against hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns. The physician describes hepatitis B as a “sexually transmitted and IV drug-user disease.” Social media posts sharing the clip question why infants receive the vaccine at birth, falsely claiming that the disease poses no risk to babies. Other posts promote the myth that the vaccine is unsafe and that children receive too many vaccines. One post claims that vaccines and other pharmaceutical interventions are “literally killing off the population.”
Read the fact checks:
- CDC: Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines
- DW: Fact check: No link between mpox and COVID vaccination
- USA Today: Infant hepatitis B vaccination is necessary, saves lives
What’s happening in the Northeast:
Vaccine opponents are celebrating an August 14 federal appeals court decision overturning a lower court ruling that dismissed a lawsuit against a Boston hospital that fired an employee who refused COVID-19 vaccination on religious grounds. The lower court ruled that the former employee did not prove that her religious objections were sincere. The latest decision allows the lawsuit to advance through the courts. Social media users expressed hope that the lawsuit will open the door for other school and employer vaccine mandate lawsuits.
What’s happening in the South:
An August 16 social media post from a local Texas news outlet reminding parents of the importance of vaccinations as children head back to school received unusually high engagement from vaccine opponents. The post received over 700 comments, with many objecting to the support for routine vaccination, falsely claiming that childhood vaccines are dangerous, and praising parents who don’t “fall” for vaccines.
What’s happening in the Midwest:
Health officials in Kansas and Missouri have expressed concern that an end to free vaccines may impact uptake amid rising COVID-19 levels in those states. People without insurance can expect to pay at least $100 for updated vaccines this fall. Some social media users dismissed the concerns, claiming that COVID-19 is not important and that officials are merely fearmongering to influence the upcoming elections.
What’s happening in the West:
A recent video with over half a million views features an influencer stating that, while he refused to quarantine for COVID-19, he is willing to quarantine in the event of a mpox outbreak in California. The video, which received over 7,500 responses, suggests that COVID-19 protections were “government nonsense.” Many comments dismissed reports of mpox outbreaks as “election year shenanigans” and claimed that “you couldn’t believe anything coming from the government.” A minority of responses stated that they would quarantine or take a vaccine to protect against mpox.
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
Talking points for Health Care Providers
Each week the Infodemiology.com team will provide talking points and supporting messages in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. Health care providers can use this messaging when discussing vaccines online, talking to patients, or engaging with communities.
Updated COVID-19 vaccines are the best protection for you and your family this fall and winter.
- When it comes to COVID-19 vaccines, there are no bad options. All approved COVID-19 vaccines—mRNA-based and otherwise—are safe and effective.
- Delaying a COVID-19 vaccination may increase your risk of severe illness should you catch COVID-19 while waiting for your preferred vaccine to be available.
- Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines are designed to protect against currently circulating variants.
Mpox is a real disease that has existed for decades and is completely unrelated to COVID-19 or vaccines.
- Mpox is a viral disease related to smallpox that was first discovered in central Africa in 1970. Certain smallpox vaccines are also effective against mpox.
- There is no link between mpox and COVID-19 vaccination. In fact, the countries most affected by mpox have some of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the world.
- COVID-19 vaccines are safe. More than 70 percent of the world’s population—over 5.6 billion people—have safely received COVID-19 vaccines.
Hepatitis B vaccines are safe and life-saving, protecting against potentially life-threatening infections.
- Hepatitis B is a potentially serious disease that can affect people of any age. Infants who contract the disease have a 90 percent chance of developing chronic infections and are at higher risk of liver failure and cancer.
- The hepatitis B vaccine is given at birth to prevent transmission of the virus from mother to child and from close contact with people with undiagnosed hepatitis B. The vaccine is 95 percent effective at preventing the disease.
- The hepatitis B vaccine has an extremely low risk of serious side effects, making it one of the safest vaccines available.
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