The changing status of the COVID-19 vaccine makes it difficult for many people to distinguish between true information and misleading information. If you and your loved ones are looking to get a COVID-19 vaccine, you may want to read the latest news and credible news to stay safe. We have compiled a list of websites that can provide accurate and credible information about the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as several methods for critically examining online sources of information to ensure it is correct.
Step
Method 1 of 12: Check the CDC website
Step 1. The United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) is a reliable source of COVID-19 information
You can check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for general information about vaccines or search for information based on age and specific risk groups. The CDC also provides many websites and sources of information that you can visit to learn more about COVID-19.
- The CDC does belong to the United States, but it provides information for the entire global community.
- You can visit vaccine information on the CDC website by visiting this link:
Method 2 of 12: Visit the WHO website
Step 1. The World Health Organization provides reliable information
This agency is an international agency funded by the United Nations and has proven to be able to provide credible and accurate information. Through its website, you can find information about the company that manufactures the vaccine, as well as information about the trials and tests carried out by that company.
To visit the WHO website discussing the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the following link:
Method 3 of 12: Searching for information through the NIH
Step 1. The NIH (National Institute of Health) is a biomedical research institute
Although headquartered in the United States, the agency has already tested the COVID-19 vaccine and is a provider of information to everyone in the world. You can read about vaccine trials or even participate in the trial process by visiting the official website.
To read Frequently Asked Questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit
Method 4 of 12: Look for websites ending in “.edu” or “.gov” in their uniform source locator
Step 1. This is a good way to find credible information
The uniform source locator indicates that the information written is from a university (.edu) or a government-owned agency (.gov). Even if a website that ends in.edu or.gov isn't always 100% credible, there's a good chance that the site contains correct information. Be careful when digesting information that comes from websites ending in “.com” or “.org”.
- The suffix “.com” indicates that the website is operated by a for-profit company so the information provided may be biased.
- The “.org” suffix indicates that the website is owned by a nonprofit company. While they may provide accurate information, there is no guarantee that the information has been reviewed by other members of their community because nonprofits usually do not need to follow government-set standards.
Method 5 of 12: Pay attention to the date the information was written
Step 1. Information that is out of date may no longer be accurate
Look for information that is only a month or two old. Because information about vaccines changes almost daily, articles that have been written for more than two months may no longer be accurate. You can usually find the date the article was written at the very top or bottom of a website page.
Most credible websites will update the information when it gets new data
Method 6 of 12: Find out the background of the informant
Step 1. You can find an “About Us” page on a website
If the organization that publishes information about vaccines has a scientific background, the information may be credible. If the background is irrelevant or ambiguous, the information presented may not be solid.
- You can also read the “About Us” page to find out if the organization is being paid to publish information. If they have sponsors, chances are they get money to spread misinformation.
- If the CDC, WHO, NIH, or COVID-19 Task Force cites a source of information, the source is likely to be credible.
- If the information provider is an alternative or holistic health practitioner, someone who has no medical background, or is from a company, be careful about the information conveyed.
Method 7 of 12: Find out who reviewed the information
Step 1. Information about science should be reviewed by someone with a scientific background
If the article or data has not been thoroughly reviewed, the information in it may not be credible. You can usually find this information at the bottom of the article, which is at the very end of a web page.
This information might be written as “Reviewed by Dr. Reni Utari” or “This article has been reviewed by Dr. Tashia Maharani on 27 September 2020.”
Method 8 of 12: Find the original source of the information
Step 1. If a fact is a citation, find the source article
Credible information usually comes from science journals or health organizations. If you can't find the original source or the source looks suspicious, the information may not be correct.
Most data and statistics include the source at the bottom of the article or in a footnote next to the written information. If the source of the information is not included, the data may be misleading
Method 9 of 12: Pay attention to “raw” data instead of information provided by third parties
Step 1. Facts and figures can be misinterpreted
If you read something that refers to data, check the data before trusting the content. You can usually find raw data in scientific journals or articles by checking the sources listed at the bottom of the article.
For example, if a source says “These data show that vaccines do not contribute to herd immunity”, try looking at the data firsthand. The author may use the data out of context or deliberately twist it to confuse the reader
Method 10 of 12: Don't give out personal information online
Step 1. If a website asks for your personal information, the website may not be secure
If you are not sure the website is credible, you should not provide your name, email address, or home address online. If you wish to do so, please read the terms and conditions before agreeing to them.
Never give your ID card number online except through a government agency
Method 11 of 12: Avoid websites with articles that contain a lot of typos and have a lot of typos
Step 1. This may mean that the article has not been critically reviewed
If the article you are reading has a lot of typos or typos, the information in it may not be credible. Most trusted sources go through a series of editing processes so that the results are almost perfect.
Mistyping and typos are sometimes the result of mistranslation. If you read a source from another country and believe that this is true, double-check the information on a credible website, such as the WHO or the COVID-19 Task Force
Method 12 of 12: Watch for websites that suggest “miracle cures.”
Step 1. Currently, scientists are recommending a COVID-19 vaccine
Experts would not recommend using miracle cures, such as essential oils or breathing exercises. If a source asks you to avoid vaccines and self-medicate at home, that source is likely misleading.
Some types of "miracle drugs" even harm the body. Make sure the information you get is accurate before deciding to test a new product
Tips
- Information about the COVID-19 vaccine is constantly changing. Make sure you check your sources regularly to learn about new information that becomes available.
- If you find medical jargon difficult to understand, try to translate it into simpler language via
- In general, it's best to stay away from information shared on social media as it is mostly untrustworthy.
- If you have certain diseases, you may not be given the vaccine. This is in accordance with the applicable vaccination rules.
