Anti-Vaccine Groups Mislead and Coach on Vaccine Denial
Leaders of the anti-vaccine movement and anti-vaccine organizations are investing heavily in guidance on how to decline vaccination.
Multiple TikTok videos are using the same voice-over claiming to provide advice on how to legally decline a COVID-19 vaccine. The videos allege that outright refusal of the vaccine would be considered belligerent, instead suggesting that people should ask their physician if the vaccine contains MRC-5 (related to a debunked claim that vaccines contain aborted fetal tissues), or if it has a risk of causing an allergic reaction.
Because physicians are bound by the Hippocratic Oath to do no harm, the video claims that doctors will be forced to admit that COVID-19 vaccines contain MRC-5 and that they can cause adverse reactions, which will allow the individual to refuse a vaccine without being considered belligerent.
Leaders of the anti-vaccine movement and anti-vaccine organizations are investing heavily in guidance on how to decline vaccination. While directly confronting the misinformation they promote can distract from higher priority talking points, being aware that coaching complete with step-by-step conversation guides is occurring and widespread is recommended.
For providers, active listening and motivational interviewing techniques continue to be advised in 1-1 conversations with patients regarding vaccination. For health communicators, tailoring messages for priority populations and engaging trusted, credible, local messengers continue to be advised.
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