Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation
A Social Media Toolkit
Now that respiratory virus season has begun, ob-gyns can play a powerful role in combating dangerous and worsening misinformation regarding maternal immunizations by dispelling myths and sharing the facts about the many benefits of vaccination. With the help of ACOG’s newly released updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccination, you can use your voice, your influence, and your practice to help boost vaccine confidence among patients.
While ACOG has long been a trusted source for evidence-based recommendations and guidance on vaccination during pregnancy for clinicians, policy makers, and stakeholders, ob-gyns are often the trusted source of information for patients. Research has shown that people feel they can be open and honest with their ob-gyn, and that many people even consider their ob-gyn their primary care provider.
Your recommendation matters—and you don’t have to wait until patients come into the office to make it. Speak up on social media with our sample messaging below, which includes posts, graphics and other resources, to help educate patients and encourage them to make the choice to get vaccinated.
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Ob-gyns like me follow guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists when counseling patients on vaccination. ACOG is my trusted source for unbiased, evidence-based recommendations on what is safe during pregnancy.
Conflicting messages and misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines have caused confusion about how pregnant people can protect themselves from COVID-19. Knowing the facts can help make you feel more secure in your decision to get vaccinated.
There is still strong evidence of improved maternal outcomes with COVID-19 vaccination. Research shows that pregnant people are at higher risk of severe respiratory illness, hospitalization, and pregnancy complications such as preterm birth from COVID-19 infection during pregnancy.
Years of data demonstrate that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe to get during pregnancy. Vaccination helps prevent bad outcomes from COVID-19 infection; it does not cause them.
Natural and vaccine-driven immunity have helped to decrease—not eliminate—the risks that were associated with earlier, more virulent strains of COVID-19.
Pregnant patients want to do what’s best for their infant. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is still the most effective way to provide infants with antibodies that can help protect them after birth.
Data show that infants born to people with COVID-19 are at increased risk for respiratory distress syndrome and admission to the NICU. Vaccination during pregnancy provides protection to the infant in the first few months of life.
Lactating people who have received the COVID-19 vaccines can pass greater protection against infection to their infants. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that COVID-19 vaccination is not only a safe choice during lactation but also a smart one.