A popular anti-vaccine website that has repeatedly misrepresented VAERS data to discourage vaccination is now attempting to dispute the fact that VAERS data is being misused by vaccine opponents. An article posted to the site falsely claims that fact-checkers dismiss VAERS data as “unreliable” and “useless.” VAERS data is not unreliable when it is used for its intended purpose. However, the data is frequently used without appropriate context to draw conclusions about the safety of specific vaccines. The misleading use of VAERS data by sites like the one that posted the article is the reason that fact-checkers caution against reliance on VAERS.
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VAERS or other vaccine safety monitoring systems are often used incorrectly, sometimes deliberately, in order to spread misinformation and disinformation. VAERS and similar systems allow anyone to submit reports of vaccine injury or side effects; these claims do not have to be verified. After claims are made, government health experts perform investigations to determine whether reported injuries or side effects were due to vaccines. This is why only official government reports and peer-reviewed scientific studies should be trusted. Emphasizing that these reporting systems contain unverified reports while directing to actual evidence is recommended, as is continuing to explain what mild side effects people can expect after vaccination. Fact-Checking Source(s):
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