Health Department Begins Using Twitter To Fight False COVID Info

BALTIMORE, MD — The Maryland Department of Health has begun using another tool to fight COVID-19 misinformation and disinformation: social media.

On Monday, the department started posting facts about the virus and vaccines on its GoVAX Maryland (@govaxmaryland) Twitter feed.

"Fact: The COVID-19 vaccine WILL NOT affect fertility," one tweet reads. "'Confusion arose when a false report surfaced on social media saying the spike protein on this virus was the same as a spike protein called syncitin-1 that is involved in growth & attachment of the placenta during pregnancy.'"

And starting Sept. 23, the MDH will go even further by beginning its "Ask an Expert" series.

Every other Thursday, the department will livestream a Q&A session with a different expert on the GoVAX Maryland Twitter feed. State and nationally recognized experts will answer questions about the vaccine's safety and efficacy and address coronavirus-related disinformation.

"When provided with accurate information throughout this pandemic, Marylanders have made smart, informed, life-saving decisions that protect themselves and keep their families, friends, and communities safe from this deadly disease," MDH Secretary Dennis R. Schrader said.

However, misinformation and disinformation can put lives at risk, Schrader said.

"The intent of this initiative is to help both separate myths from facts and provide Marylanders with the information they need to continue to make informed decisions about getting vaccinated or tested," Schrader said.

Accurate, reliable information about COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 testing can be found on the state's official COVID website here.