Tweetcap: Physicians lean on research, science to combat COVID misinformation

As health care systems across the nation continue to flex in the face of COVID-19, medical experts are combatting misinformation around vaccination and the virus. In many cases, these inaccuracies exacerbate doubts and divisions around implementing best practices for ending the pandemic.

To help support a unified front, physicians are coming together to share research, numbers, and science that can help individuals make informed health decisions. By assisting the public in sorting fact from fiction, doctors across the country are empowering communities to act in their best interest.

Permanente physician leaders play an important role in this process, bringing topics such as COVID-19 vaccine safety to the forefront of conversation …

I’m proud of research efforts of 5 KP regions who collaborated with 3 other groups & @CDCgov to review safety outcomes of 6.2 million people in the US who have received #COVID19 mRNA vaccines. The results are very reassuring! @aboutKP @Permanente Docs https://t.co/3PPhN6aa7w

— Nancy E. Gin, MD, FACP (@NancyGinMD) September 13, 2021

We know the science. The COVID-19 vaccines are highly protective against the virus, including the Delta variant. I encourage all Permanente physicians and care teams to get vaccinated to protect one another and our patients. https://t.co/LpYeAGdK85

— Stephen Parodi, MD (@StephenParodiMD) August 5, 2021

Excellent message from NCAL physician Stacy Fletcher, MD. She makes a compassionate plea for vaccination and sent this message to each of her patients.

We can end this pandemic together. #thisisourshot #science #medicine #TPMG https://t.co/t25XrbQPb0 via @kevinmd

— Richard Isaacs, MD (@DrRichardIsaacs) August 16, 2021

… at the same time, Permanente doctors are publicly flagging misinformation while promoting facts grounded in science …

This is why misinformation, click bait headlines and sensationalized interpretations is running rampant on social media. #ThisIsOurShot to correct misinformation. https://t.co/FTKtIDTbA9

— Alex M. McDonald, MD CAQSM FAAFP (@AlexMMTri) October 4, 2021

Fantastic work by @Nakhasi_MD and Dr. Homan-Sandoval from the TIOS/VacunateYa team. Let’s share the link to all our colleagues and friends. @CMAdocs @PermanenteDocs @PublicGoodProj https://t.co/qywhmktXnj

— Javier M. Sanchez MD (@docsanchezmd) October 3, 2021

… physician peers from outside Kaiser Permanente are also coming together to dispel inaccuracies and highlight important COVID vaccine findings …

One of the biggest misinformation lies is that COVID vaccines are “experimental”.

They are probably the most extensively tested vaccines in human history by now.
— Leonidas Platanias, MD (@LeonidasPlatan1) October 12, 2021

Antivaxxers are pushing #Pfizerleaks hidden cam video. This is pure misinformation. The sources are presented as high up in the company tho it is not clear that they work on COVID vaccine research. The video also falsely claims that fetal cells are in the vaccine.

— Dan Freedman, DO (@dfreedman7) October 7, 2021

Vaccine Efficacy updated FAQ:

1) Do vaccines prevent infection? Including delta.

Yes. Unvaccinated 5 times more likely to be infected in LA county study. https://t.co/N6exBatTHD pic.twitter.com/nKxVZ7Ztfg

— Priya Sampathkumar (@PSampathkumarMD) August 31, 2021

… and the nation’s leading health agencies continue to support these efforts by sharing their recommendations for helping our country work toward achieving and end to the pandemic.

Vaccine mandates are not new — they are essential to keep our nation healthy. @OccDocDMMD & @purviparikhmd share how employers can answer questions and implement #COVID19 vaccine mandates. https://t.co/5VlchRbXiX

— AMA (@AmerMedicalAssn) October 12, 2021

#COVID19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free. They help protect against COVID-19 and variants, including Delta, and can help us end the pandemic. Find a vaccine near you and get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as you can. Learn more: https://t.co/aknFnV6x24.

— CDC (@CDCgov) October 12, 2021

Additional information and guidelines around COVID-19 vaccination can be found on kp.org.