An old video about changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 vaccine guidance recently made the rounds again, sparking fresh confusion on social media about who should get vaccinated and when.
We’re also tracking debate about vaccine exemptions after the American Academy of Pediatrics called for the end of nonmedical exemptions.
But first, a recent study confirming the safety of aluminum in vaccines received backlash from vaccine opponents.
Topic 1
Study confirming safety of aluminum in vaccines sparks conversation
What’s happening:
In July, a local news outlet reported on a Danish study that found no link between aluminum in vaccines and autism, chronic conditions, or autoimmune illnesses. The study sparked conversation across Minnesota and the U.S.
Some rejected the study’s findings, arguing it doesn’t apply to the U.S. because of how many vaccines children receive. Others repeated false claims about vaccine safety, questioned rising autism rates, and promoted vaccine exemptions.
Some commenters emphasized that vaccines aren’t linked to autism and expressed frustration that skipping vaccines puts kids at risk of preventable diseases.
Why this matters:
Backlash to the study shows that some Minnesotans still doubt the proven safety of vaccine ingredients and worry about how many vaccines children receive.
Helpful messaging to share right now:
The vaccine schedule is carefully reviewed to make sure it’s safe for kids. Every vaccine a child gets gives them important protection against serious diseases like measles or whooping cough. (See a superhero-style take on this messaging here.)
Recent studies confirm what decades of research have found: Vaccine ingredients are safe and are not linked to autism.
It’s safe for children to get multiple vaccines at once. Missing or delaying vaccines leaves kids at risk of getting seriously sick.
Share this in response
Suggested caption:
All vaccine ingredients are thoroughly tested to make sure they’re safe for kids. The recommended vaccination schedule is developed by experts who carefully review how many vaccines children receive and when. They do this to keep kids protected from serious diseases.
Talk to your child’s doctor about staying up to date on vaccines at their next appointment.
American Academy of Pediatrics statement drives debate over vaccine exemptions
What’s happening:
On July 28, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a new policy statement calling to end nonmedical vaccine exemptions.
In response, some Minnesotans argued that ending exemptions would take away parents’ rights and personal choice. Others falsely claimed that unvaccinated children are “healthier” than vaccinated ones and called for an end to all vaccine requirements.
Other social media users supported the statement and urged health officials to maintain school vaccine requirements to protect all children.
Why this matters:
Comments in support of vaccine exemptions provide an opportunity to explain why school vaccine requirements exist and how high vaccination rates help protect everyone, especially kids who can’t be vaccinated.
Helpful messaging to share right now:
When fewer kids get vaccinated, outbreaks of serious diseases like measles or whooping cough become more common.
Vaccines help prevent infections, serious illness, hospitalization, and even death.
Vaccines protect kids—and entire communities—from serious diseases that can spread easily in schools, like measles or whooping cough. Staying up to date keeps your child safe before they head back to the classroom.
With fall around the corner, now’s the perfect time to check your child is up to date on all their vaccines.
Resurfaced video causes confusion about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations
What’s happening:
In May, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released a video announcing that the CDC would stop recommending COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant people and healthy children. But COVID-19 vaccines are still on the CDC’s immunization schedule. The video resurfaced in July and spread online again, leading some Minnesotans to believe it was a new update.
Some commenters celebrated the supposed removal of recommendations. Others pointed out that the video was outdated and emphasized that COVID-19 vaccines are still on the immunization schedule.
Other users worried about vaccine access and effectiveness ahead of the fall’s respiratory virus season.
Why this matters:
Reactions show that Minnesotans may not know that COVID-19 vaccines are still important for many groups, especially young children, pregnant people, and others at high risk.
Helpful messaging to share right now:
Doctors and experts still recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for most people 6 months and older, including pregnant people and children.
COVID-19 vaccines are thoroughly tested and monitored to ensure their safety. They help protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
If you have questions about whether the vaccine is right for you or your child, ask your health care provider.
Share this in response
Suggested caption:
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and help prevent serious illness, hospitalization, or even death.
That’s why doctors and medical experts recommend the vaccine for most people 6 months and older, including pregnant people.
If you have questions about getting the vaccine, ask your health care provider.
The U.S. could lose its measles elimination status. Here’s what that means.
Measles cases in the U.S. this year are at their highest level since 1992. Share this article to help your community understand why this matters and how the MMR vaccine can help prevent outbreaks.
Public Good News 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.
