Indiana Internal Medicine Physician discusses Covid-19 vaccination (2021)

The year was 2020 and a “new” virus was spreading around the world causing flu-like symptoms in most, life threatening illness in some, and barely any in a ‘lucky’ few. Covid-19 had found it’s way out of China and quickly spread around the world causing chaos in the global supply chain and worldwide quarantine efforts. As 2021 approached, the race to generate a vaccine was in full force, quickly producing 2 vaccines using a technique that was in development since the 1960’s. Now, in 2025, despite the success of the global medical communities collaboration, vaccination skeptics and deniers continue to spread misinformation that ensures their audiences remain unprotected; many of the largest players even profit off of these efforts.

Covid-19 Vaccine misinformation has increased reluctance to vaccination but it’s not the origin of the issue. Many skeptics of vaccination state that vaccines cause “Autism” or “Allergies” based on claims by various bad-faith actors who actively profit from a de-bunked study from the late 90’s. Using media to spread their persuasive messages, these actors used this study as a ‘Cause vs. Correlation’ link showing issues identified during childhood as being direct results of vaccination. To solidify their claims they created a scapegoat out of the government, doctors, or anyone who may promote or support vaccination by stating they are profiting from the production and distribution of this ‘evil’ and don’t care about the individuals affected. Of course, leading others to these false claims becomes the goal once money gets involved leading many to continue to promote false narratives even after being presented with contradicting facts.

Republican Senator uses ‘Explicit Claims’ and ‘Bandwagon’-ing to persuade his audience regarding vaccination practices during Covid

Vaccine misinformation is still present today and, with our current health administration being run by a known anti-vaxxer, unlikely to improve over the next few years. Now, more than ever, it’s important to slow down and ensure your information is coming from reputable, peer reviewed sources. Media Literacy is and will continue to be an integral part of existing in our society and as we can no longer ensure our government is doing the necessary work to avoid mis- and dis-information; the responsibility falls on us. Until now we have not done the best as a country in discerning between what information presented to us is fact or opinion and I personally believe this difficulty is what led us to our current predicament. What would happen if we invested more into teaching our children (and society) to be critical thinkers when engaging with media?

The vaccine misinformation is not going to disappear on its own, especially now that it has taken hold of parts of our government. It is up to those of us who understand why this persuasive idea is still circulating to patiently educate, not school, those around us. It’s important that we realize the source of this issue is the fear of their own or a loved one’s wellbeing, not hate or willful ignorance. Anyone can fall victim to misinformation and everyone can learn given time and understanding; the few who are knowingly and willfully profiting from the spread of this fear are the hardest to endure and the sole parties deserving of chastising. Since the beginning spread of this misinformation anti-vaxxers have grown from the fringe to it’s own political party meaning it’s that much more prevalent in our culture; this has to change if we have any chance of protecting our collective health.