Ending COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation Takes a Collective Understanding

The U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy announced 'calling for research, data, and personal experiences related to health misinformation to deepen our collective understanding of its sources and impact.'

'During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have been exposed to health misinformation— information that is false, inaccurate, or misleading according to the best available evidence at the time, stated Dr. Murthy on March 6 2022, in an HHS media statement.

'Health misinformation has caused confusion and led people to decline COVID-19 vaccines, reject public health measures such as masking and physical distancing, and use unproven treatments.'

'It has also led to harassment and violence against public health workers, health care workers, airline staff, and other frontline workers.'

'It can be really hard to know what is true amidst all this misinformation.'

'This is an opportunity to have your voice heard, no matter who you are: a researcher studying the issue, a health care worker, or someone who has seen the effect of health misinformation on their loved ones or community.'

'No dataset is too big, and no story is too small. We want to hear from you!'

As the next step in this work, the Surgeon General is putting out a Request for Information on the Impact of Health Misinformation in the Digital Information Environment in the United States Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The U.S. Senate reconfirmed Dr. Vivek H. Murthy in March 2021 to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the U.S.

Note: This content was created by the Office of the Surgeon General and edited for clarity and to deliver a mobile user experience.