Non-mainstream Digital News Publishers Present The Best Vaccine Information

The American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) recently published an analysis on vaccine hesitancy and mixed media messaging.

On August 26, 2025, a new analysis of Google News reports, focusing on the measles outbreak in the United States centered in western Texas, reveals that non-mainstream outlets published more credentialed content.

Approximately 43% of all articles were published by mainstream news services, but only 21% cited clinical research related to the causes, control, or prevention of the 2025 measles outbreak.

Non-mainstream outlets published more credentialed content (31.6% vs. 11.6%, p = 0.02), yet fewer than 25% of the articles cited research.

Most reports were informational (94%) and pro-vaccination (72%), though 28% presented mixed messaging.

The findings of this AJIC Brief Report highlight gaps in evidence-based news reporting and opportunities for improved health communication, according to researchers affiliated with universities in New Jersey and New York.

"Vaccine news articles can earn readers' trust by offering easy access to valid clinical research, which enhances reader comphrehenison of complex topics," says Don Hackett, Publisher of Vax-Before-Travel.

"Furthermore, displaying the news article's medical reviewers' identities empowers transparency."

"While journalistic bias is embedded in the news industry, health and vaccine publishers are held to higher standards in 2025."