COVID vaccine misinformation is growing

New studies find COVID vaccine misinformation is growing, and heat-related cardiovascular deaths could be increasing. Biotech has solutions for both challenges. (536 words, 2 minutes, 40 seconds)

COVID vaccine misinformation is growing, finds survey

Americans have less faith in COVID-19 vaccines than in 2021, and more people accept vaccine misinformation, says a survey published yesterday by the Annenberg Public Policy Center.

The key findings:

• 63% of Americans believe getting the COVID vaccine is safer than getting COVID, a decline from 75% in 2021.
• 26% incorrectly believe the anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin works against COVID, an increase from 10% in 2021.
• 16% believe “increased vaccines are why so many kids have autism these days,” compared to 10% in April 2021.
• 29% don’t believe the flu vaccine can’t cause the flu.

Misinformation has an impact: 38% of U.S. adults say they will not get the new COVID vaccine, and about the same said they will not get their children vaccinated, found a recent CDC survey.

Why it matters: Even though vaccines are the best protection against COVID, uptake has slowed. While 15 million in the United States received the latest updated COVID vaccines by Oct. 27, close to 23 million received updated boosters by Oct. 26 last year.

BIO’s take: It’s ok to have questions—but patients should ask their doctor, says Phyllis Arthur, BIO’s SVP of Infectious Disease & Emerging Science Policy. At the same time, communication by trusted messengers—healthcare providers and community and faith-based leaders—is key to building vaccine confidence.

Spotted at Georgia Bio

BIO’s Board Chair Dr. Ted W. Love spoke yesterday at the Georgia Life Sciences Summit. Speaking from the heart, he shared personal experiences about why he joined biotech, his commitment to patients, and the importance of advocating for a strong innovation ecosystem that can develop life-changing, accessible breakthroughs for all those in need. Read his remarks at Bio.News.

Climate-related heart deaths could double by 2050

Heart disease, America’s number-one killer, could become more deadly as heat-related cardiovascular deaths more than double due to climate change, scientists warn.

Heart-stopping future: With intermediate increases in greenhouse gas emissions, excess cardiovascular deaths caused by extreme heat would increase 162% by mid-century, University of Pennsylvania researchers project. With continued petroleum-based development, these deaths could more than triple, rising 233%.

The impact will be greater on non-Hispanic Black Americans—who, due to higher likelihood of disadvantages like lack of air conditioning or tree cover, could see a 4.6 times greater increase in heat-related cardiovascular deaths compared to non-Hispanic white Americans.

Other negative health impacts of climate change include greater incidence of asthma and Lyme disease in children and the spread of malaria.

Pollution also attacks the heart: Particulate matter generated by air pollution from burning fossil fuels also creates cardiovascular strain, triggering inflammation and damage to blood vessels, Bio.News reports.

Biotech solutions for climate, including sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and reduced use of petroleum products through biomanufacturing, can help limit the damage.

Biotech needs policy support: Climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act and executive orders on environmental justice and biotechnology and biomanufacturing can help. But we need more support for biotech’s climate solutions, including greater incentives for SAFs, a more efficient regulatory process for new animal and plant traits and other climate-friendly measures in the Farm Bill, which still awaits passage.

President Biden’s Thursday: Meetings with President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic and President Gabriel Boric of Chile in the White House.

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: The Senate passed a “minibus” spending bill, which includes agriculture funding, and the House is scheduled to take up agriculture spending by the week of Nov. 13, Roll Call reports.