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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

SciCheck

FactCheck.org’s SciCheck feature focuses exclusively on false and misleading scientific claims that are made by partisans to influence public policy. It was launched in January 2015 with a grant from the Stanton Foundation. The foundation was founded by the late Frank Stanton, president of CBS for 25 years, from 1946 to 1971.

Florida’s COVID-19 Vaccination Analysis Is Flawed, Experts Say

Florida’s COVID-19 Vaccination Analysis Is Flawed, Experts Say
October 13, 2022

The state of Florida recently announced that it was no longer recommending that younger males receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, based on an unpublished analysis that purportedly found an increased risk of cardiac-related death following vaccination. But experts who specialize in the unique method used in the analysis say it was not properly done — and even if it had been, the findings would not mean that individuals should not get vaccinated.

COVID-19 Vaccine Opponents Misrepresent CDC Webcast on Causes of Blood Clots

COVID-19 Vaccine Opponents Misrepresent CDC Webcast on Causes of Blood Clots
September 29, 2022

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hosted an online seminar about the treatment of blood clots, which is expected to grow as the U.S. population ages and the obesity rate increases. But some vaccine opponents misrepresented the webinar to falsely suggest that the projected rise in blood clots is related to the COVID-19 vaccines.

Posts Take Biden’s Vaccination and Hurricane Prep Comments Out of Context, Again

Posts Take Biden’s Vaccination and Hurricane Prep Comments Out of Context, Again
September 28, 2022

Last year, President Joe Biden made a special plea to residents in hurricane-prone states to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in advance of possible evacuations or shelter stays. Now, as Hurricane Ian approached Florida, social media posts recycled an old clip of his comments to misleadingly claim he thinks the vaccines will protect against the storm.

Video Makes Baseless Claim About Insurance Coverage of Vaccinated Frenchman

Video Makes Baseless Claim About Insurance Coverage of Vaccinated Frenchman
September 27, 2022

COVID-19 vaccines have been found to be safe and effective in trials and real-world conditions. Yet an online video baselessly claims a French life insurer refused to pay benefits for a man who died after receiving the vaccine because the insurer deemed it “a medical experiment.” It also falsely claims that the same has happened in the U.S. 

Q&A on Omicron-Updated COVID-19 Boosters

Q&A on Omicron-Updated COVID-19 Boosters
September 23, 2022

Retooled COVID-19 booster vaccines that target omicron subvariants of the coronavirus are now available in the U.S. Here, we answer questions about the new shots.

Is the Pandemic ‘Over’? Biden Says So, But Scientists Say That’s Up for Debate

Is the Pandemic ‘Over’? Biden Says So, But Scientists Say That’s Up for Debate
September 20, 2022

In a surprise moment in a “60 Minutes” interview, President Joe Biden said the COVID-19 pandemic “is over.” While he correctly acknowledged that the coronavirus was still a problem, epidemiologists say there’s no single agreed-upon definition for what constitutes the end of a pandemic — and some say we’re not there yet.

Viral Posts Spin Falsehood Out of Denmark’s COVID-19 Booster Drive

Viral Posts Spin Falsehood Out of Denmark’s COVID-19 Booster Drive
September 16, 2022

Denmark announced a plan for its fall COVID-19 vaccination drive, saying it will offer omicron-specific booster shots to high-risk individuals, including everyone 50 and over. But U.S.-based misinformation peddlers misleadingly suggest that means the shots are unsafe for those under 50. The Danish Health Authority said that is a misinterpretation.

Post Makes Baseless Allegations About Public Health Response to Monkeypox Outbreak

Post Makes Baseless Allegations About Public Health Response to Monkeypox Outbreak
August 30, 2022

A post published in English and Spanish repeats the debunked idea that the current monkeypox outbreak might have resulted from a virus that was created in a lab. The post also baselessly alleges that the World Health Organization’s decision to declare the outbreak a public health emergency was due to financial incentives.