Misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines cost the United States $2 billion from hospitalizations in 2021

Misinformation is a major public health threat as it leads to unnecessary illnesses, deaths, and costs to society. In 2021, misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines was rampant, where a large portion of the US population believed in vaccine misinformation and refused vaccination.

This study utilized a microsimulation model of COVID-19 vaccination, cases, hospitalizations, and deaths to estimate the cost of vaccine hesitancy that was fueled by misinformation in the United States. The analysis compares a baseline model with scenarios where misinformation was removed.

Misinformation was estimated to contribute to nearly 2.3 (2.04-2.5) million cases and 66 000 (59 300-72 500) hospitalizations in 2021. Misinformation resulted in $2 billion ($1.79-$2.33 billion) in extra costs of hospitalization and 45 000 (40 800-50 000) avertable deaths. Misinformation on vaccine hesitancy cost up to $229 million ($226-$231 million) in California, $173 million ($171-$175 million) in Texas, $171 million ($169-$173 million) in Florida, and $144 million ($143-$146 million) in New York State in 2021. Montana, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Alaska faced the highest ($10-$14) per person costs of misinformation.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, misinformation remains. Combating misinformation on a large scale and building trust in health institutions and science is essential to prevent unnecessary costs and improve population health.