The Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine showed a final efficacy of 91% against symptomatic illness in its phase 3 trial. Social media posts wrongly claim recently released Pfizer documents show the vaccine is “12% effective.” That appears to be a misreading of data released more than a year ago.
Issues: coronavirus
Q&A On Paxlovid, Pfizer’s COVID-19 Oral Antiviral
COVID-19 Vaccines Were Available Before Biden Took Office, Contrary to False Tweet
When Joe Biden was sworn in as president, two COVID-19 vaccines had already been authorized and millions of people nationwide had been vaccinated against the disease. But in a May 12 tweet touting economic progress made under Biden, the White House falsely claimed that “there was no vaccine available” at the time he was inaugurated.
Pediatric Hepatitis Cases May Be Linked to Adenovirus, No Connection to COVID-19 Vaccination
A string of unexplained hepatitis cases in children has been reported in the U.S. and in other countries. The cause is not yet known, but the top suspect so far is a strain of adenovirus. Contrary to some social media posts, there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination is involved. Most of the children are too young to even qualify for the vaccine.
Red Cross Accepts Blood Donations From People Vaccinated Against COVID-19
When the Science Is Messy: How SciCheck Handles Scientific Disputes
COVID-19 Is Caused by a Virus, Not Snake Venom
COVID-19 Vaccines Reduce Hospitalization and Death Rates, Contrary to Social Media Claims
Those who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 are more prone to serious illness and are dying at higher rates than those who are vaccinated. But partisan social media accounts, including a post by a member of former President Donald Trump’s campaign legal team, continue to misleadingly suggest the vaccines are unnecessary and discourage their use.
Q&A on Second COVID-19 Boosters for Older People
Clinical Trials Find No Increase in Mortality Among COVID-19 Patients Treated with Remdesivir, Contrary to Viral Claim
Remdesivir is the only antiviral medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat COVID-19. But a retired chiropractor misleadingly claims on a viral clip on social media that the drug is “killing people.” Studies have shown that remdesivir can lead to faster recovery times for hospitalized patients.