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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center
SciCheck’s COVID-19/Vaccination Project

Database Errors Fuel False Claims about HIV Cases in Military

Database Errors Fuel False Claims about HIV Cases in Military

The rate of new HIV infections in the military has been relatively unchanged since 2017. But social media posts falsely claim that the military has recorded a “500% increase in HIV since the COVID vaccine rollout.” A Defense Department spokesperson said errors in a military database sparked the inaccurate claim.

No Evidence Excess Deaths Linked to Vaccines, Contrary to Claims Online

No Evidence Excess Deaths Linked to Vaccines, Contrary to Claims Online

COVID-19 vaccines substantially reduce the risk of dying from COVID-19, and serious side effects are very rare. Excess deaths among working-age adults in 2021 and 2022 were due to COVID-19 and other factors, not vaccination. Faulty logic underlies claims that vaccines caused mass disability and economic harm.

Posts Spread Unfounded Claims About Russia’s Use of COVID-19 Vaccines

Posts Spread Unfounded Claims About Russia’s Use of COVID-19 Vaccines

Russia developed a COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, in 2020. President Vladimir Putin has said he received three doses of the vaccine, and the government continues to urge Russians to get vaccinated against the disease. But social media posts falsely claimed Putin “ordered the destruction of all” COVID-19 vaccine stockpiles in Russia.

Posts Misrepresent Moderna CEO’s Remarks on Vaccine Production

Posts Misrepresent Moderna CEO’s Remarks on Vaccine Production

Moderna’s CEO said in January that the company’s total production in 2019 was “100,000 dose,” referring to all its vaccines and therapeutics. Online posts distorted the remarks to falsely claim Moderna made COVID-19 vaccines “before the pandemic started.” Moderna’s first batch of COVID-19 vaccines wasn’t ready until February 2020.

Posts Misinterpret NYC Health Tweet About Omicron Subvariant XBB.1.5

Posts Misinterpret NYC Health Tweet About Omicron Subvariant XBB.1.5

An unclear tweet from New York City health officials was meant to caution residents that the latest omicron subvariant, XBB.1.5, might be more likely than previous variants to infect vaccinated or previously infected people. Social media posts misinterpreted the tweet to mean that vaccinated people were at higher risk than unvaccinated people.