Welcome to the first edition of the Minnesota Health Communications Initiative newsletter.
Before you get into this week’s insights, please take five minutes to fill out this questionnaire so that we know what resources you need to effectively communicate with your communities.
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Read on for more about how declining rates of routine vaccinations spiked conversation online. We’ll also tap into the conversations and concerns surrounding Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the newly confirmed head of the Department of Health and Human Services.
But first, let’s address ongoing false claims about a connection between vaccines and autism.
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False claims circulate widely about a correlation between vaccines and autism
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- In mid-January, a blog written by a well-known anti-vaccine advocate and posing as a medical journal released an unverifiable study that gained significant traction at the national level. It baselessly claimed that vaccinated children were more likely to be diagnosed with autism, learning disabilities, and brain damage.
- In response, conversations throughout the state in February discussed alleged vaccine injuries and made comparisons about autism rates within Amish communities, while a popular Somali-language TikTok account discussed the “study” and shared anecdotes of children who allegedly developed social issues and behavioral changes after getting vaccinated.
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Why this matters: The myth that vaccines are linked to autism is harmful and may make parents hesitant about vaccinating their children.
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Helpful messaging to share right now:
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- Years of consistent scientific research show that there is no correlation between vaccines and autism.
- Studies show that autism rates remain the same in vaccinated and unvaccinated children.
- Scientists will continue to investigate the causes of autism so that children can get early diagnosis and support.
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Suggested caption:
We already know from years of research that there is no link between autism and vaccines. Vaccines are thoroughly tested and monitored to make sure they’re safe for children and people of all ages. The true causes of autism are still unknown, but scientists continue to study potential causes, like genetics.
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Declining rates of routine vaccinations spark frustration and skepticism
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- In January, Minnesota news outlets reported that the number of fully vaccinated children in the state dropped about five percentage points since 2020. Nonmedical vaccination exemptions have also increased. In Minneapolis public schools, nearly 40 percent of kids are behind on their vaccines.
- In response to news posts on social media, some expressed frustrations about vaccine skeptics putting the public at risk. Others stated that everyone should be questioning vaccines and that those promoting vaccines do not have their children’s health in mind.
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Why this matters: Low vaccination rates put everyone at risk and increase the possibility of outbreaks of diseases like measles.
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Helpful messaging to share right now:
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- Vaccines are thoroughly researched, tested, and monitored to ensure their safety. Unvaccinated children are at higher risk of becoming infected and seriously ill.
- Higher vaccination rates lower the risk of disease outbreaks.
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Suggested caption:
Vaccines help protect children from getting infected from serious diseases. If fewer children get vaccinated, we’ll start seeing more outbreaks, and more children might face severe illness or even death. Vaccinations protect more than just you—they protect everyone around you, too!
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Debate about vaccine safety continues in the wake of RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearings
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- Kennedy’s confirmation hearings at the end of January kicked off conversations after he criticized vaccines and claimed Black children need a separate vaccine schedule from other racial groups. Kennedy cited a 2014 study that found that Somali individuals developed twice the antibody response to the rubella vaccine compared to white individuals. The statement sparked false claims that the MMR vaccine caused autism rates to increase in the Somali community.
- Online, some claimed that studying how different races respond to vaccines is crucial to understanding why vaccine responses in children may vary, while others strongly disagreed and expressed concerns about medical racism.
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Why this matters: Misleading claims from high-profile figures may gain traction and potentially increase vaccine hesitancy.
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Helpful messaging to share right now:
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- The claim that children should receive different vaccine schedules based on race is not backed by science. Medical racism can lead to distrust of medical professionals and reduce the quality of health care for marginalized groups.
- Vaccine recommendations and requirements exist to protect children and individuals from preventable diseases. Vaccines are highly researched and monitored to ensure their safety.
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Suggested caption:
All children are vulnerable to the same diseases, which is why it’s so important that they get their vaccines on time. Pediatricians across the country recommend a standard vaccination schedule so that all children are safe and their healthy future is protected.
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How the vaccine schedule keeps kids safe
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Vaccines help children stay healthy, especially because young children are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill. In Minnesota, routine vaccinations have declined from before the COVID-19 pandemic. Share this article with your audience to explain how receiving vaccines on time is the best way to keep kids safe.
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PGN is a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to community health. We partner with trusted local voices throughout the U.S. to distribute accurate, accessible, and inclusive health news in English and Spanish.
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Have feedback on this email? Please send it to Info@MNHealthComms.org.
Thanks for reading,
The MN Health Communications Initiative team
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