Several articles from October 2020 have been recirculating online with the false claim that COVID-19 vaccines could increase the risk of acquiring HIV. The articles are based on a letter that describes an ill-fated 2008 clinical trial for a potential HIV vaccine that increased the study participants’ HIV risk. The letter, which was published before any COVID-19 vaccines were authorized, highlights the technology used by the failed HIV vaccines and warns against using the same technology in potential COVID-19 vaccines. None of the COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. use the technology, and there is no connection between the HIV vaccine study and any COVID-19 vaccines.
Recommendation: 
Sign Up for Public Health Alerts
About Us
The Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) was formed in 2020 to coordinate and amplify public health messaging on COVID-19 and increase Americans’ confidence in guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health officials.
Learn More
Learn More