A clip of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. from 2021 is recirculating online. In the video, Kennedy falsely claims that COVID-19 vaccines are the deadliest vaccines in history, specifically due to alleged cases of myocarditis. He claims, without evidence, that half of people who developed vaccine-related myocarditis cases will die or require heart transplants within five years. He also falsely states the myocarditis rate in vaccinated boys is 373 in one million.
The high-profile nature of the source increases the risk of these false claims. Debunking messaging may emphasize that vaccine-related myocarditis risk is low for every age group, including boys and young men. The risk of myocarditis and other heart complications is significantly higher following COVID-19 infection than vaccination. Moreover, the vast majority of vaccine-related myocarditis cases are mild and resolve quickly with no long-term issues.
American Heart Association, Cardiovascular Research Foundation
