Reliable Vaccine Resources

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How do I know I'm getting accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines?

points to remember

• Not all the vaccine information you see online is accurate. Even when a close friend or family member shares COVID-19 vaccine information, it's important to evaluate the source.

• Misinformation usually starts with a kernel of truth. Just because someone quotes real data doesn't mean they are providing the correct context or interpretation.

• Not all healthcare workers are vaccine experts. While you should certainly talk to your own healthcare provider about your concerns, look for information online that is vetted by immunologists, virologists, or epidemiologists. 

• There are simple signs you can look for that will help you determine the credibility of sources.

Faq
 

What sources can I trust to share up-to-date, accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines?

In general, you can trust organizations in these three categories to provide science-backed information about vaccines. 

Public health agencies

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)

Universities and hospitals

• Mayo Clinic
• Johns Hopkins University
• MUSC Health
• Lexington Medical Center
• Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System

Professional medical groups

Information shared by these societies is often intended for an audience of physicians. With that in mind, they're still good resources for evidence-based information about COVID-19 vaccines.

• American Medical Association (AMA)
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
• National Medical Association (NMA)

What makes information from sources like the CDC trustworthy?

These organizations share information that is based on peer-reviewed science--this means that independent experts have evaluated and approved the science behind the information. They also make it easy for you to review the science on your own by pointing to specific research studies with clear authors.

Public health agencies, academic or medical institutions, and professional medical societies must work hard for credibility, and it's not in their best interest to share information that can be easily disproven by medical experts. They regularly review their material to make sure it's still accurate.

What are some red flags to indicate that a source may not be reliable?

Indicators that the source may not be trustworthy include the following:

• There is no clear author, or the author has no credentials listed.
• The author/speaker says they are a "healthcare professional" but does not go into detail about their qualifications.
• They share statistics without referencing a research study as a source.
• The resource was published months ago and has not been updated to reflect new information.

UC San Francisco Health provides more helpful tips for evaluating health information and spotting red flags. 

What questions should I ask myself when evaluating a COVID-19 vaccine resource?

• What scientific evidence is referenced here? 
• Is it easy for me to access the research studies behind this information?
• What are the credentials of the person who gave this information? 
• Have major media outlets reported this information? If so, are they all saying the same thing?
• How current is this information?

What about "alternative" treatments for COVID-19?

Unproven therapies like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine should not be used to treat COVID-19. Studies have shown that self-treating with these substances has no medical benefit and can cause serious harm including heart problems, kidney failure, and death.

Monoclonal antibodies have been given emergency use authorization for certain high-risk patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 but are not hospitalized. They can shorten the duration of symptoms and reduce the risk of hospitalization and death. Timing of giving monoclonal antibodies is very important, so talk to your provider as soon as you test positive for COVID-19 to see if you meet the criteria for receiving them. In addition, remdesivir is a medication that can help some patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19. There are also anti-virus pills (Paxlovid and molnupiravir) that can be taken by some people to prevent severe disease, but they need to be started within 5 days of your symptoms or positive test if you have no symptoms. If you test positive, contact your health care provide as soon as possible to find out if you can get one of these treatments. You can also visit the test-to-treat locatorto find a place (doctor's office, clinic, or pharmacy) that can provide these medications. Although these can help those who have COVID-19, the best treatment is still prevention. Monoclonal antibodies and other treatments are no substitute for the free COVID-19 vaccine, which has been proven to significantly reduce death and hospitalization from COVID-19.

Mythbusting Social Post

Below are social media messages that combat common misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine. Click the download button below to get any of these graphics sized for Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, or Facebook. 

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Does your COVID-19 vaccine info come from a reliable source? Visit stayscstrong.com/reliable-vaccine-resources for tips on how to spot vaccine misinformation and find trustworthy sources. #VaxSC

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