COVID-19 was the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2020. But a meme featuring Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis minimizes the toll the pandemic already has taken — particularly among the elderly. The meme also questions getting inoculated, despite the safety record of the vaccines and DeSantis’ public support for vaccines.
Misconception: Vaccination
Vaccines Benefit Those Who Have Had COVID-19, Contrary to Viral Posts
There is no evidence that vaccines could cause harm to people who already have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 or have become ill with the disease COVID-19. On the contrary, recent studies show the vaccine gives an important immunity boost to those previously infected and suggest that one dose might be enough.
Q&A on the Rare Clotting Events That Caused the J&J Pause
Irish Professor Makes Unfounded Claims About Long-Term Effects of mRNA Vaccines
The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines authorized for use were found to be safe and effective in clinical trials and real-world conditions. A professor in Ireland baselessly claims in a video circulating on social media that they are not, and that those who get the vaccines will die as a result within several years.
Idaho Doctor Makes Baseless Claims About Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines
A viral video features a doctor making dubious claims about COVID-19 vaccines and treatments at a forum hosted by Idaho’s lieutenant governor. Dr. Ryan Cole claims mRNA vaccines cause cancer and autoimmune diseases, but the lead author of the paper on which Cole based that claim told us there is no evidence mRNA vaccines cause those ailments.
Tucker Carlson Misleads on COVID-19 Vaccines, Masks
The Facts on the Recommended J&J Vaccine ‘Pause’
Viral Posts Misuse VAERS Data to Make False Claims About COVID-19 Vaccines
Pfizer CEO Got Vaccinated, Contrary to Claim in Video
Texas Doctor Spreads False Claims About COVID-19 Vaccines
Federal officials authorized two mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 after they were determined to be safe and effective against symptomatic illness in clinical trials. But a Texas doctor, in a widely shared video, falsely claims the vaccines don’t provide protection and that they’re actually “experimental gene therapy.”