Talking about vaccines with trusted health care providers and with family can help wade through the sea of information – and misinformation.
Morsa Images/DigitalVison via Getty Images
Jaime Sidani, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences; Beth Hoffman, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences, and Maya Ragavan, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences
With COVID-19 shots finally available for infants and preschoolers, knowing how to combat misinformation on social media and elsewhere could be more important than ever.
Misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines affecting fertility have no realistic basis.
(AP Photo/John Locher)
Some of the most persistent myths about COVID-19 vaccination have been false rumours that it can affect fertility in men or women. There has never been any evidence to support this misinformation.
English printmaker James Gillray’s ‘The Cow-Pock.’
(The Cow-Pock/James Gillray)
Stories build powerful emotional attachments. We root for heroes, boo their opponents and get anxious for the fictional problem to be solved. Facts have very little to do with it.
You’re not the only one having trouble discerning the truth.
nicoletaionescu/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Fact-checking risks oversimplifying and distorting Americans’ political conflicts, while not actually helping people find ways to work together productively.
It can be difficult to distinguish between the calls of sincere scientists for more research to reach greater certainty, and the politically motivated criticisms of science skeptics.
(Shutterstock)
Skeptics may make demands for absolute certainty to undermine science and delay action. Critiques may not be in the interest of advancing science and public health, but by someone with an agenda.
Health care providers are just one trusted source of information for parents on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for children.
Cavan Images/Cavan via Getty Images
Jaime Sidani, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences; Beth Hoffman, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences, and Maya Ragavan, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences
Pediatricians and other health care providers can take some concrete steps toward building trust and counteracting anti-vaccination misinformation.
Clive Palmer says vaccines don’t work and Craig Kelly is among those misinterpreting statistics to suggest COVID vaccines are causing more deaths overseas.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers implied he was vaccinated against COVID-19 when he was not, and made statements about the vaccines based on misinformation.
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
NFL star Aaron Rodgers has amplified dangerous and disproven myths about the COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s why his statements are not only untrue, but also harmful because they spread misinformation.
The “Which Virus Are You” website was a fun and informative way to talk to young people about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines.
(Marion Cossin)
Not knowing how many posts people see on social media overall or where specific types of content get concentrated is keeping researchers in the dark about misinformation.
Many U.S. states follow some form of “mature minor doctrine” allowing teens to make medical decisions without parental consent, including COVID-19 vaccination.
Pete Bannan/MediaNews Group/Daily Times via Getty Images
Some states have a legal framework allowing “mature minors” to make their own health care decisions – but they apply it in different ways, and some don’t have it at all.
Misinformation on social media is hindering efforts to vaccinate people against the coronavirus.
Sheldon Cooper/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Combating vaccine misinformation on social media requires blocking sources of misinformation – and giving researchers access to data about how misinformation spreads.
We surveyed social media users from vulnerable groups and found 73% got their vital news from social platforms. How can we protect these people from vaccine misinformation?
Identify and stop the lies.
NLshop/iStock via Getty Images Plus
A national coalition of scientists, communicators and health experts is empowering Canadians to work together against online misinformation about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines with #ScienceUpFirst.
Vaccine hesitancy will not go away fast. In fact, there are parallels in the physical world to how quickly or slowly an object returns to its normal state.
Many employers are hoping vaccines provide ‘a shot in the arm,’ but can staff opt out?
David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
New guidelines take a broad definition of who can apply for a religious exemption to vaccinations. A lot will hinge on what constitutes ‘undue hardship’ to the employer.