Trending Misinformation about Vaccines & COVID-19
- As the US prepares for flu season, false claims have gone viral Facebook and Twitter saying that flu vaccination will make people more susceptible to COVID-19. The claims surfaced after the publication of an article in early 2020 which examined coronavirus risk in military personnel after getting the flu shot. Claims of any link between flu shots and COVID-19 have been debunked various times, with researchers finding no evidence that getting a flu vaccination will increase risk of getting sick from coronaviruses.Â
- A misleading image is being shared on social media, which claims to list out vaccine ingredients. Many of the listed ingredients are not used in flu vaccines, and those that are used are not dangerous. The vaccine only uses ingredients needed in order for the vaccine to be as safe and effective as possible.Â
- People on social media have been claiming that patents for COVID-19 tests were filed years ago. Claims are suggesting that the COVID-19 pandemic was man-made and preplanned. Fact-checkers have debunked the claims, finding that the patent in question was not filed until May of 2020, when the virus was already present.