Vaccine misinformation ‘killed voters’ in Red states

Updated: Jun 20, 2024 / 09:45 PM CDT

(NewsNation) – Dr. John Moore, Cornell University virologist and researcher, says “Red COVID” is a “statistically proven phenomenon” — that people in Republican-led states are “more likely to die from COVID.”

Moore believes COVID misinformation is what ultimately “killed voters” in red states.

“The reason you’re less likely to be vaccinated is you’re bombarded with this information from right-wing sources, notably Fox News, and by the political leadership of the red states,” Moore said during a Thursday appearance on NewsNation’s “CUOMO” while discussing a recent lawsuit filed against Pfizer by the state of Kansas. “Red state politicians ended up killing their constituents and voters.”

In the lawsuit filed Monday, Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach claims Pfizer misled Kansas residents by claiming the vaccine was safe and hid evidence of the shot’s link to myocarditis and pregnancy issues.

“Pfizer made multiple misleading statements to deceive the public about its vaccine at a time when Americans needed the truth,” he said in a statement.

Does Pfizer plan to respond?

In a statement to The Hill, Pfizer claims the case has “no merit” and plans to respond to the lawsuit in “due course.”

“We are proud to have developed the COVID-19 vaccine in record time in the midst of a global pandemic and saved countless lives. The representations made by Pfizer about its COVID-19 vaccine have been accurate and science-based,” the company said.

COVID-19 vaccine linked to possible health issues: Study

Kobach’s lawsuit comes as a new study discovered possible links between COVID-19 vaccines and possible neurological, blood and heart-related conditions.

The new study is the largest of its kind since the pandemic began and could reignite the debate over the risks and benefits of the vaccine.

NewsNation’s Taylor Delandro contributed to this report.