Evaluating COVID-19 Information
Page last updated 12/15/2023
See below, or click the following links, to learn more about:
Misinformation is information that is false, inaccurate, or misleading according to the best available evidence at the time. Disinformation is when misinformation is used to serve a malicious purpose, such as to trick people into believe something for financial gain or political advantage.
False or misleading information can cause people to make decisions
that could have dangerous consequences for their health.
Misinformation about diseases, illnesses, potential treatments and
cures, vaccines, diets, and cosmetic procedures is especially
harmful.
Consider the following steps to determine if information is accurate:
- Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, or other public health department websites, to see whether there is information about the claim being made.
- Ask a credible source, such as a doctor or nurse, if they have additional information.
- Type the claim into a search engine to see if it has been verified by a credible source.
- Look at the “About Us” page on the website to see if you can trust the source.
- If you are not sure about the content, do not share it.
The CDC’s vaccines and immunization web content are researched,
written and approved by subject matter experts, including physicians,
researchers, epidemiologists, and analysts. Content is based on
peer-reviewed science. CDC leadership makes the final decision on the
words, images, and links to best serve the information needs of the
public as well as healthcare providers, public health professionals,
partners, educators, and researchers. Science and public health data
are frequently updated. Most pages are reviewed yearly.
As you search for vaccine information, consider guidance from these sources:
- The Immunization Action Coalition suggests questions you should ask.
- The National Network for Immunization Information (NNii) suggests questions to ask when evaluating information.
- The University of California San Francisco’s Evaluating Health Information page lists “Red Flags” every consumer needs to know.
- The Medical Library Association translates medical jargon (Medspeak) into language everyone can understand.
Agencies and Organizations
- Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- American Public Health Association (APHA)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- National Library of Medicine
- Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
Scholarly Journals
Resources
Resources to Address COVID-19 Information
Additional Resources
COVID-19 Website