Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Vaccination Misinformation Takes More Strange Turns
The New York Times: Scientists Fight A New Source Of Vaccine Misinformation: Aaron Rodgers
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is not just the N.F.L.’s reigning most valuable player, he’s a celebrity who transcends the nation’s most popular sport, a household name on par with Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes. So when news broke that he tested positive for the coronavirus last week and was unvaccinated, Rodgers justified his decision to not get vaccinated by speaking out against the highly effective vaccines and spewing a stream of misinformation and junk science. Medical professionals were disheartened not just because it will make it harder for them to persuade adults to get vaccinated, but because they are also starting to vaccinate 5- to 11-year-olds. (Belson and Anthes, 11/8)
The Wall Street Journal: Aaron Rodgers’ State Farm TV Ads Cut Back After Vaccine Comments
State Farm aired far fewer commercials that featured Aaron Rodgers over the weekend after the NFL star recently divulged he was unvaccinated against Covid-19 and questioned vaccine effectiveness. About 1.5% of the nearly 400 State Farm television advertisements aired on Sunday through 8 p.m. ET included Mr. Rodgers, compared with more than 20% the two Sundays prior, according to Apex Marketing Group, a Michigan-based ad tracking and consulting firm. (Abdel-Bacqui, 11/8)
The Hill: Poll Shows Just How Far COVID-19 Misinformation Has Traveled
Almost 8 in 10 U.S. adults believe or are unsure of at least one false statement about COVID-19, according to polling data published Monday. The poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that 78 percent of U.S. adults surveyed said they believe or were unsure of at least one of eight false COVID-19 statements that the organization tested. That includes 38 percent who believe the government is exaggerating the number of COVID-19 deaths, 17 percent who believe pregnant women should not get the vaccine and 18 percent who believe deaths caused by the vaccine are being hidden by the government. (Sullivan, 11/8)
CNN: Covid Vaccine Debate's Strange Turn
The Covid-19 vaccine debate is getting weird. On Twitter, Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz accused Big Bird of pushing "Government propaganda...for your 5 year old!" after the Muppet tweeted about getting the shot in his wing. CNN aired a special on Saturday with "Sesame Street" to explain the vaccine to children ages 5-11, who are now eligible to get the shot. (Wolf, 11/9)
Delta is done, many think —
Axios: Axios-Ipsos Poll: Americans Are So Over Delta
Americans are increasingly likely to believe returning to normal life is only a low to moderate risk as Delta cases plummet, according to the latest installment of the Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index. "Delta's over in the popular imagination," said Ipsos pollster and senior vice president Chris Jackson. "People are starting to re-engage with their regular activities. They're not as worried about getting COVID," Jackson said. (Reed, 11/9)
But the science shows vaccines definitely work —
Bloomberg: Vaccinated 16 Times Less Likely To Die From Covid, Study Shows
People who are fully vaccinated are 16 times less likely to end up in intensive care or to die from Covid-19 than those who aren’t immunized, an Australian government study found. Nearly 16 out of 100,000 people who had yet to receive a Covid vaccine landed in intensive care or died after contracting the virus, compared to fewer than one in every 100,000 who were fully vaccinated, according to data compiled by health authorities in New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state. The country has rolled out highly potent mRNA vaccines co-developed by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE, a similar one from Moderna Inc., and a viral vector shot from the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca Plc. (11/9)
