Vaccine Confident mark
An initiative to help pharmacists strengthen vaccine confidence in their patients and communities

Address Concerns About Misinformation and Disinformation

The spread of false, inaccurate, or misleading information—on social media and through other channels—can affect COVID-19 vaccine confidence. Health misinformation and disinformation have spread at unprecedented speed and scale in recent years, especially online. It is possible to limit the reach and impact of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation and disinformation by identifying trending content and effectively sharing clear, accurate, evidence-based information.

Key Points

  • Help patients understand the difference between misinformation (not intentionally focused on misleading others) and disinformation (created and spread with malicious intent).
  • The U.S. Surgeon General considers health misinformation and disinformation urgent threats to public health.
  • Monitor social media and other resources in your community to be ahead of emerging misinformation and disinformation trends.

Information for Pharmacy Teams

Watch APhA’s open forum webinar on The Impact of Social Media on COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence to learn how social media is fueling the “pandemic of misinformation” and strategies pharmacists can use to address misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.
Watch APhA’s open forum webinar COVID-19 Myth vs. Fact: Vaccine Hesitancy to learn how to recommend COVID-19 vaccines to the patients you serve and how to navigate vaccine hesitancy.
Listen to APhA’s podcast on COVID-19 Vaccine Myths and Facts to hear a pharmacist dispel why some of the most common myths about the COVID-19 vaccines are incorrect.
Utilize APhA’s conversation guide for learning how to effectively talk with patients and address their specific concerns:
  • Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation and Disinformation
  • Understanding the “COVID Skeptics”
  • Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Myths
  • Identifying Credible Information About COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Misunderstandings
Check out APhA’s Quick Tip videos for suggestions from pharmacists addressing these questions surrounding vaccine confidence:

Information for Patients

Share APhA’s patient brochure on COVID-19 Vaccine Myths vs. Facts that reviews the different types of COVID-19 vaccines available and answers some questions commonly asked by patients about the safety and accessibility of the vaccines.