Top scientists have compiled an online guide to arm people with scientific facts and practical tips to combat lies, fraud and conspiracy theories that threaten public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.
More than two dozen leading experts in vaccine psychology, education and virology say they have voluntarily contributed to the COVID-19 vaccine communication handbook to address misinformation and propaganda by anti-vaccination activists that could lower vaccination rates and cause unnecessary deaths.
Although coronavirus cases are on the rise and hospitals are overflowing with critically ill patients, opposition to the vaccines is resounding, not only in marginalized communities but in mainstream America as well. Studies show that belief in COVID-19 lies can discourage people from getting the vaccine.
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“While we now have COVID-19 vaccines, we also have a vaccine against COVID-19 misinformation – critical thinking,” said John Cook, who heads the Center for Climate Change Communication at the George Mason University.
If you spot harmful misinformation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Google’s YouTube, this is how Cook and the other scientists recommend that you confront it.
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Provide a factual alternative, for example: “Vaccination is safe.”
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Avoid scientific jargon or technical language. Instead, choose graphs, videos, and photos.
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Repeat the incorrect information once before correcting it.
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Give details such as why the information was considered correct, why it was incorrect and why the information you provide is accurate.
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Complete by reinforcing the fact many times.
Scientists recommend that scientists, if possible, contain ‘incorrect’ information. Because fakes travel so fast on social media, it can help people develop ‘cognitive antibodies’ if they explain these misleading or manipulative narratives in advance.
Fight the COVID vaccine lies with facts
The online guide provides examples of common falsities about COVID-19 vaccines and how to counteract them.
Myth: “The COVID-19 vaccine can give you COVID-19.”
Fact: “There is an insignificant risk that any vaccine could cause the disease – and in the case of COVID-19, none of the vaccines currently being rolled out use the live virus, not even in an attenuated form.”
Myth: “We can not know that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe if it only exists for a few months.”
Fact: “Although the development of COVID-19 vaccines has been accelerated, the vaccination test is still necessary to go through a rigorous series of steps to determine the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. The safety of the vaccines will continue to be closely monitored as they are rolled out to ensure that they do not have serious side effects at unacceptable prices. ”
Myth: “MRNA vaccines alter the human genome.”
Fact: “MRNA vaccines are synthetic and do not contain an attenuated form of the actual virus. Instead, mRNA vaccines provide instructions that allow your body to produce a protective response. It is just as unlikely that your genome will change as eating fish will make your gills grow. ‘
This article originally appeared on TODAY in the US: COVID Vaccine Lies and Hoaxes: How to Vaccinate Yourself