A U.S. senator who has repeatedly promoted false claims and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines alleged, without evidence, that a CDC official hid data about COVID-19 vaccine safety during pregnancy. According to articles and social media posts sharing the claim, the now-deleted data shows an 82 percent miscarriage rate. Responses to the claim accused the CDC of misleading the public about COVID-19 vaccine safety. The false claim that 82 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage after COVID-19 vaccination has been circulating online for nearly four years, originating from a gross misrepresentation of a preliminary study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Recommendation
Concern about vaccine safety during pregnancy is widespread and a major cause of hesitancy. Vaccine opponents exploit these fears to discourage pregnant people from getting vaccinated. Debunking messaging may emphasize that the claim that 80 percent of pregnancies following COVID-19 vaccination ended in miscarriage is false and based on manipulation of preliminary data in a 2021 study. The study, and subsequent ones, find no difference in miscarriage rate between vaccinated and unvaccinated women. Research has consistently shown COVID-19 vaccines to be safe during pregnancy, with no increase in negative pregnancy outcomes. Additionally, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists “strongly recommends” COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.
Fact-checking sources: CDC, Boston University
