A tragic August 9 plane crash in Cascavel, Brazil claimed the lives of all aboard, including several medical professionals traveling to an oncology conference as part of their continuing medical education. Vaccine opponents have seized on the tragedy to falsely claim that the deceased doctors had recently vowed to release evidence at the conference linking mRNA vaccines to so-called turbo cancer. Several viral posts speculate that the doctors were targeted because of their research in a plot to cover up alleged COVID-19 vaccine risks.
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This specific conspiracy theory is circulating mostly in anti-vaccine circles, but the “turbo cancer” myth is pervasive online, contributing to a larger false narrative that COVID-19 vaccines, specifically, and mRNA vaccines, generally, are toxic. Debunking messaging may emphasize that there is no evidence that any of the doctors researched or even made comments about COVID-19 vaccines and cancer. The only source for the claim is a conspiracy website that frequently posts hoax news stories. Messaging may also explain that turbo cancer is a myth made up by vaccine opponents that has no basis in medical science. Fact-checking sources: Lead Stories, Your Local Epidemiologists
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