Vaccines have become an increasingly contentious public health topic, with some parents choosing not to vaccinate their children against certain diseases due to widespread misinformation. Among the most prevalent myths are that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine causes autism in children and that COVID-19 vaccines have resulted in more deaths than the virus itself.
Many of these false claims are being spread online by anti-vaccine influencers.
The latest tracking poll on health information and trust, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, an independent source of health policy research, examined such claims.
The poll, published on Tuesday, looked at four widespread anti-vaccine myths: MMR vaccines cause autism in children; MMR vaccines are more dangerous than being infected by the measles; more people died from the COVID-19 vaccines than the virus itself; and mRNA vaccines can change your DNA.
A representative for the Kaiser Family Foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The poll surveyed 2,480 US adults and found that those who use social media for health information and advice at least weekly (26% of all adults) are more likely than those who never use social media for health to say each false vaccine claim is “probably” or “definitely true.”
The relationship between belief in vaccine myths and the use of social media or AI for health information.
The findings were similar when the survey looked at people who relied on AI chatbots for health advice. The results showed that 35% of adults who use AI chatbots at least weekly for health advice believe the measles and mRNA vaccine myths, compared to 20% of non-chatbot users.
Although only a small percentage of adults believe health myths shared by AI chatbots, the finding underscores broader concerns about trust in the US healthcare system.
The survey found that those most likely to not fall for vaccine myths tend to have a reliable healthcare provider they trust. When asked if more people died from the COVID-19 vaccines than the virus, 46% of adults who didn’t have a trusted healthcare provider agreed that it’s “probably” or “definitely true.” This is roughly double the share of people with a trusted healthcare provider (24%) who disagree with these claims.
Individuals with a trusted provider are less likely than those without one to endorse vaccine-related myths.
These figures also extended to parents who skipped or delayed vaccinating their children. Parents who were against vaccinating their children were 25% more likely to say vaccine myths were “definitely” or “probably true,” compared to parents who vaccinate their kids.
The poll also analyzed the data collectively and showed there’s an opportunity to regain trust in vaccines among those in the “malleable middle.” While some people were fully opposed to vaccines and others fully in support, at least half of the adults surveyed were unsure. The poll suggests this is the group that should be targeted to address vaccine hesitancy.
CNET previously reported that the spread of wellness misinformation online indicates a problem within our healthcare system. As access to primary care and diagnosis becomes more restricted and less affordable, many people turn to social media or AI for free answers they cannot get elsewhere.
Some are drawn to information — even when it’s false — from wellness influencers who appear to have the answers, because they share relatable, professional-looking content. With gaps in access to healthcare and the growing use of social media and AI chatbots, vaccine misinformation can spread more easily among vulnerable populations.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
