Edited video used to claim tech CEO warned staff about COVID-19 vaccine safety

The persistence and high level of engagement of this misinformation elevates its risk. Emphasizing that the videos have been edited to remove important context is recommended. In the edited clip, the CEO appears to be warning employees not to get vaccinated. The unedited video makes it clear that the vaccines being discussed in the clip were still in development and wouldn’t be authorized for months. The CEO’s full comments also suggest that he didn’t fully understand how mRNA vaccines work, a point he later clarified with an infectious disease expert. Messaging may explain that mRNA from vaccines cannot alter DNA because it’s unable to enter the cell’s nucleus, where DNA is stored.

Fact Checking Source(s): Tech ARP, USA Today