A document the Department of Health and Human Services distributed to members of Congress to justify recent changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations misrepresented scientific research to make unfounded claims about vaccine safety for pregnant people and children.
Issues: vaccine safety
HHS Misleads on mRNA Vaccine Safety After Pulling Moderna Funding
RFK Jr. Misleads About Safety of COVID-19 Vaccine in Children
In recent interviews, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has minimized the risk COVID-19 poses to kids and exaggerated the risk of the vaccine, incorrectly claiming that the shot poses a “profound risk” to children. While serious side effects can occur, they are rare, and have not been shown to outweigh the benefits of the vaccine in protecting against COVID-19.
HHS Advances Kennedy’s Old ‘Placebo’ Vaccine Safety Claims
FactChecking RFK Jr.’s First Interview as HHS Secretary
Kennedy Repeats False and Misleading Claims in Confirmation Hearing
‘Who Is Bobby Kennedy?’ Video Promotes Debunked Anti-Vaccine Narratives
A recent video promoting independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promises to “start with some irrefutable facts.” The over 30-minute video, narrated by actor Woody Harrelson, begins with some biographical truths about the candidate, but veers into promoting various debunked or unsupported narratives about vaccines.
Posts Raise Unfounded Concerns About Aluminum in Vaccines
Small amounts of aluminum have been used for many decades to strengthen the immune response to vaccines. Exposure to high levels of aluminum has been associated with brain and bone problems, but there is no evidence that the level of exposure provided by vaccines leads to such toxicity, contrary to social media claims.
Study Largely Confirms Known, Rare COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects
An international study of around 99 million people confirmed known serious side effects of COVID-19 vaccination. It also identified a possible relationship between the first dose of the Moderna vaccine and a small risk of a neurological condition. Social media posts about the study left out information on the vaccines’ benefits and the rarity of the side effects.
Viral Posts Misuse Rat Study to Make Unfounded Claims About COVID-19 Vaccines and Autism
COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy benefits both mother and baby. Side effects are generally mild, and studies don’t show negative effects on the baby. A criticized study that gave COVID-19 vaccines to pregnant rats doesn’t show that vaccines cause autism or that people shouldn’t get COVID-19 vaccines, contrary to claims.