The Danger of Vaccine Misinformation on Pregnancy Apps
By Natasha Matta
Misinformation on social media has become a serious problem in recent years,
especially given the danger of COVID-19 misinformation to people’s health and safety.
Research by the Harvard Kennedy School found that while Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and
Twitter all have independent COVID-19 misinformation policies, other highly-used social media
platforms, including Twitch, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Tumblr, did not prohibit COVID-19
misinformation. When it comes to possible sources of vaccine (mis)information, the general
public tends to think of the news, social media, or political campaigns. However, misinformation
plagues other sources of information, an important one being pregnancy apps.
What to Expect (one of the best-known pregnancy and parenting guides)’s Pregnancy &
Baby Tracker app hosts a community section, where conversation topics include not vaccinating
or delaying vaccination of user’s children as well as concerning references to anti-vax and
microchip conspiracies. Glow, an app that helps users track their menstrual cycle, ovulation, and
fertility, contains many posts from users discouraging other parents on the app from getting their
children vaccinated. It also featured a review of a harmful children’s book “Vaccine-Free Me: A
Trip to the Doctor” and a link to purchase it on Amazon. Similarly, Peanut is an online
community connecting women navigating fertility, pregnancy, motherhood, and menopause and
was named one of the Best Apps of 2021. Unfortunately, misinformation about the safety of
vaccines has circulated in its discussion forums.
While pregnancy apps and websites have policies against health misinformation in
place, they have not been properly enforced. Only when conspiracy theories, fear-mongering,
and disinformation gained traction in community and discussion sections of these platforms did
they invest in better moderation and ban the accounts primarily responsible for disseminating
these falsehoods. What to Expect, Glow, and Peanut have millions of active users, so
misinformation on these platforms has the potential to harm millions of families.
First-time parents are especially vulnerable to misinformation as they have not had
previous experience with pregnancy or parenthood and may be turning to such discussion
forums and community spaces to receive advice or have their questions answered. There may
be a higher degree of trust between users, who share experiences and similar motivations in
joining these communities, than healthcare professionals, who they do not interact with
personally. Additionally, misinformation not only affects pregnant people and prospective
parents but also their babies.
Misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines and fertility, pregnancy complications, and
maternal health have contributed to low vaccination rates among pregnant people. The CDC
estimates only 40% of pregnant people in the U.S. have been vaccinated against COVID-19
despite research showing COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. New research suggests
that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 during pregnancy protects not only the parent but
also their baby. It is vital that pregnancy apps, a trusted source for many pregnant people,
monitor discussion forums for misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines and point people to
reputable sources of health information.
The issue of misinformation about pregnant, women’s, and people AFAB health extends
beyond pregnancy apps. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have encountered myths
about COVID vaccines causing sterility, not being able to get vaccinated if you are breastfeeding
or pregnant, or needing to take a pregnancy test before receiving your vaccine. Social media
platforms need to better moderate their comment sections and identity and delete posts and ban
users perpetuating misinformation that can affect people’s health and safety. We also need to
improve digital literacy and teach people how to recognize misinformation in what they hear,
read, or see.
Advice for Expecting Parents
● Consult reputable sources for medical information, such as Mayo Clinic, CDC, NIH,
ACOG, and Johns Hopkins Medicine.
● Have a healthy level of skepticism if you do read posts or discussions on pregnancy
apps and fact-check the information with credible medical sources.
● Read the reviews of pregnancy apps or sites you are considering downloading or joining.
● Always talk to your healthcare provider.
Where to Get Accurate Vaccine Information
● CDC: Vaccines & Immunizations, COVID-19
● Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP): Vaccine Education Center
● KnowYourVaccines.org
References
Maloy, A. F., & Oremus, W. (2021, December 23). Pregnancy apps have become a
battleground of vaccine misinformation. Washington Post.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/12/23/pregnancy-apps-covid-vaccine-misinformation
Jankowicz, N. (2022, January 21). The Internet Is Failing Moms-to-Be. Wired.
https://www.wired.com/story/pregnancy-apps-disinformation
Summers, J. (2022, February 6). Disinformation is everywhere - including pregnancy
apps. NPR.
https://www.npr.org/2022/02/06/1078634106/disinformation-is-everywhere-including-pregnancyapps
Major anti-vaccine misinformation disseminators: Pregnancy Apps. (2022, January 5).
Genetic Literacy Project.
https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2022/01/06/major-anti-vaccine-misinformation-disseminators-pregnancy-apps/