Health department bans advertising and promotion of influenza, COVID-19 and M-pox vaccinations



The Louisiana state health department has banned advertising and promotion of influenza, COVID-19 and

Empo vaccines , according to reports from NPR , KFF Health News and WWNO public radio in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Louisiana forbids public health workers from promoting COVID, flu and mpox shots : Shots - Health News : NPR
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/12/20/nx-s1-5223440/louisiana-ban-public-health-promoting-covid-flu-mpox-vaccines-landry-rfk-jr-anti-vaccine



Louisiana bars health dept. from promoting flu, COVID, mpox vaccines: Report - Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/health/2024/12/louisiana-bars-health-dept-from-promoting-flu-covid-mpox-vaccines-report/

According to a Louisiana Department of Health official who spoke on condition of anonymity, a policy change to prohibit advertising or promotion of influenza, COVID-19 and M-pox vaccines was communicated to employees during meetings in October and November 2024. It was also revealed that the policy was implemented quietly and was not intended to be documented.

NPR points out that the Louisiana Department of Health's ban on vaccine advertising and promotion has affected every aspect of the department's operations, including the cancellation of its annual flu vaccination event in the fall of 2024. According to sources, employees can no longer send press releases about vaccinations, give interviews, host events, give presentations, or post on social media. It also appears that Louisiana Department of Health clinics can no longer post signs indicating that COVID-19, influenza, and measles vaccines are available.

In response to the reports, the Louisiana Department of Health released a statement to NPR saying, 'We are reevaluating both our state's public health priorities and messaging, particularly around promoting vaccinations against COVID-19 and influenza.' 'This represents a shift away from one-size-fits-all, paternalistic guidance to one where getting vaccinated with any vaccine, wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and more are personal choices.'



The policy shift comes amid rising anti-vaccination sentiment in Louisiana and across the nation and the dangerous spread of vaccine misinformation, with President-elect Trump nominating Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known anti-vaccination stalwart and one of the most prolific spreaders of vaccine misinformation, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Just 12 anti-vaxxers generate two-thirds of the 810,000+ pieces of anti-vaccination content on social media - GIGAZINE



Survey data also found that areas with more Trump supporters have lower coronavirus vaccination rates and higher COVID-19 death rates.

Report: 'COVID-19 death rate up to six times higher in areas with a high proportion of Trump supporters' - GIGAZINE



The Louisiana Department of Health has not updated its influenza webpage since 2023. It has also conspicuously refrained from mentioning vaccines in its social media posts. In an influenza-related post posted on X (formerly Twitter) in early December 2024, the department warned that it was influenza season, but only encouraged people to 'wash their hands,' 'cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing,' 'avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth,' and 'clean indoor air by bringing in fresh outdoor air' to prevent infection, without mentioning vaccination at all.




The Louisiana Department of Health's change in vaccine policy has disappointed and upset officials, one health department official told NPR, 'Do they want to dismantle public health?' Other health department officials have said, 'We're really talking about deaths. If we reduce influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations, the death toll could increase,' 'I've never felt more anxious about the future,' and 'Why am I here? Why am I continuing to do this? I'm so suffocated because I'm not helping people.'

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