Casualty of COVID-19 Misinformation: Childhood Immunizations
Misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine’s safety and efficacy has a new casualty: childhood immunizations. Throughout the pandemic, we have seen myths circulating about the COVID-19 vaccine, such as that it causes sterility, was developed too quickly, or will change your DNA. Pregnancy apps, where many expecting parents go for support and information on navigating pregnancy and parenthood, have been a target of such misinformation. As such, vaccine hesitancy and at times, anti-vaccination sentiments are spreading among parents.
Now, some parents are opting out of routine childhood immunizations more generally. The CDC recorded a 1% drop in childhood vaccinations since the pandemic began, which seems small but translates into 35,000 fewer children protected against preventable illnesses. If children do not receive their recommended immunizations, they are vulnerable to diseases like whooping cough, chickenpox, Hib (which can cause meningitis), and influenza. At best, these diseases are mild, but at worst, they can be lethal.
Additionally, if a certain amount of children are not vaccinated, we cannot achieve herd immunity, in which a large portion of a community or “herd” is vaccinated, severely limiting the spread of disease from person to person. When there is herd immunity, those that are not vaccinated are also protected from disease by the disease’s inability to spread. As such, parents who opt out of vaccines for non-medical and non-religious reasons are both putting their own children in danger and risking the health and safety of others in their community too. Depending on the state’s non-medical exemptions, childhood immunizations are required for school, sports, and other opportunities. Without them, children will be forced to sit out certain events and activities, and it may affect their ability to attend school.
The anti-vaccine movement is preying on parents’ fears about the health and wellbeing of their children. We need to equip parents with the tools to sift through news, social media, and commentary from others to understand what is misinformation through improved health and digital literacy. Addressing vaccine hesitancy with COVID-19 and childhood immunizations is necessary to prevent larger, more deadly outbreaks.
Written for the Vaccine Student Working Group on Ethics and Policy.
