On March 20, a U.S. representative shared a social media post falsely claiming that COVID-19 vaccines are “not safe for human use.” The post cited a study that identified rare side effects from COVID-19 vaccines and falsely claimed that those side effects are common. The text of the representative’s post alleged that “COVID-19 vaccines should have never received approval” and called for them to be removed from the recommended childhood vaccine schedule. Many comments agreed that COVID-19 vaccines are “toxic” and unsafe, and some shared personal stories of alleged “vaccine injuries.”
Recommendation
Vaccine opponents frequently misrepresent research to discourage vaccination. When these false claims come from public figures, they may have a wider reach outside of vaccine opponent circles. Messaging may emphasize that severe side effects from COVID-19 vaccines are extremely rare. In fact, millions of people all over the world have safely received COVID-19 vaccines, with no evidence of widespread health problems or deaths. Mild, temporary symptoms like chills, fatigue, body aches, or pain at the injection site after getting a COVID-19 vaccine are normal and mean that the immune system is responding to the shot. Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines prevents severe illness, long-term complications, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Those who have not yet received this season’s updated COVID-19 vaccine—which protects against more recently circulating variants—can get one now from a health care provider or at pharmacies.
Fact-checking sources: FactCheck.org, Mayo Clinic
