MADISON, Wis. – Recently, everyone 16 years of age and older in Wisconsin became eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. This is good news. The bad news is that they are being bombarded by misinformation on the vaccines.

Detecting erroneous information (myths) regarding these vaccines can be a challenge, but there are ways to detect it, according to Ajay Sethi, population health sciences, and faculty director, Master of Public Health Program, who focuses his educational mission on addressing public health misinformation, and has been tracking vaccine myths.

“Sometimes misinformation sounds like well-intentioned advice,” Sethi said. “Always question the source of information you receive about vaccines; did it originate from a scientific or medical authority?”

Common myths include:

  • I had COVID-19 so I don’t need the vaccine
  • I don’t need the second dose because I either got COVID-19 after my first dose or because I heard one shot is good enough
  • You only need a vaccine if you live in cities or work in crowded areas
  • The vaccines were rushed to approval and are not safe as a result

These are just a few of the recent trending myths on social media, and there are many more.

Sethi is available for interviews today. A recorded interview is also available.

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