Several popular anti-vaccine social media accounts and blogs are circulating the false claim that mRNA vaccines are or soon will be in the food supply through vaccinated or genetically engineered livestock. One article claims that mRNA vaccines will be added to food this month. These claims are based on three studies: a 2013 Indian review—incorrectly identified as an “NIH study”—that discusses the possibility of edible vaccines, a 2021 American study exploring the use of plants to produce mRNA vaccines, and a recent Chinese study that used vessels made from milk protein to deliver an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to mice. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association released a statement in response to the false claims clarifying that no mRNA vaccines are in cattle.
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The persistence and widespread nature of the claim elevates its risk. Some variation of this claim has emerged every few months for the last two years. The claims diminish after being debunked, only to resurface later with slight alterations. Emphasizing that none of the referenced studies have anything to do with putting vaccines in food or the use of vaccinated or genetically engineered livestock is recommended, as is explaining that these studies are simply exploring more cost-effective and practical ways to produce and deliver vaccines. Prebunking messaging may explain that vaccines have been used for decades to prevent the spread of devastating infectious diseases in livestock. These vaccines are not transmitted through meat or dairy products. Fact Checking Source(s): USA Today
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