Misleading headlines inaccurately suggest a link between COVID-19 booster and stroke

The widespread nature of the claim elevates its risk. The CDC investigated the early safety signal based on reports that 130 out of the 550,000 people ages 65 and older who had received the booster suffered strokes within three weeks. Emphasizing that a thorough investigation revealed that the reported cases did not represent an increase in stroke risk in older adults is recommended, as is explaining that the CDC concluded that strokes are unlikely to be linked to the booster. This conclusion is supported by the fact that no increase in stroke has been detected in U.S. or international vaccine safety monitoring systems, and large studies into the potential risk have not shown any association.

Fact-Checking Source(s):

• Lead Stories, New York Times, CDC