Aggressive COVID Vaccine Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy theories surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines have affected public health by promoting vaccine hesitancy or refusal and negatively influencing certain health behaviors. Despite efforts from the scientific and medical communities to dispel any myths concerning vaccines, misinformation was rapidly spread, which led to the development and eventual support of vaccine conspiracy theories by many. In this chapter, an overview of popular COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories, like the vaccine causing infertility or altering human DNA, is provided. Further, future directions for addressing and combating conspiracy theories before they influence vaccination efforts are also discussed.