A recent viral social media post reignited the years-old claim that COVID-19 vaccines were developed “too fast.” The post garnered millions of views and nearly 20,000 responses. Many replies to the post claim that the COVID-19 pandemic was planned, that all vaccines are “poison,” and that vaccines cause diseases like AIDS and cancer. Some users criticized the post for promoting misleading claims and misunderstanding how vaccines work or are developed, while others noted that there are highly effective HIV preventatives and vaccines that protect against certain cancers.
Recommendation
A persistent myth about COVID-19 vaccines is that they were “rushed” or not properly tested. Influential public figures, including health officials, have been using false and misleading claims about COVID-19 vaccine development to undermine trust in the vaccines and mRNA technology. Debunking messaging may explain that mRNA vaccines are the culmination of decades of global research on mRNA technology and coronaviruses. Messaging may also emphasize that after more than five years—and billions of people vaccinated—scientists have found no evidence that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe.
Fact-checking sources: University of California, Nebraska Medicine, ABC News
