Videos being shared on social media are alleging that the Pfizer mRNA vaccine is 99.9% graphene oxide, which is created by oxidising graphite, and is intended to kill those who receive the vaccine. These videos often claim that this is supported by a study (which has not been peer-reviewed) and confirmed by a university in
Misleading claims on social media state that receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID-19 causes an increased likelihood of suffering a stroke. The claims rely on media reports, but not scientific evidence. While the British Heart Foundation and other groups have confirmed links between strokes and the AstraZeneca vaccine, the number of reports is minuscule and
Posts on social media are claiming that vaccinated people are falling ill and dying due being vaccinated, in line with persistent anti-vaccine narratives. There is no evidence to show that those who have been vaccinated are dying at a higher rate than normal; however, there is voluminous evidence that COVID-19 has sickened and killed millions. Reuters
Leaflets distributed by an anti-government group in Ireland are making claims about the dangers of wearing face coverings as advised by public health officials. They include false statements that masks deprive the wearer of oxygen and have been proven ineffective against COVID-19. All of these claims have been consistently debunked by scientists and health officials,
Social media users are misrepresenting a scientific paper that has not yet been peer reviewed in a meme to make claims that the urine of vaccinated people is polluting the environment and harming wildlife. The scientists involved have denounced the memes as being misrepresentative of their actual findings and contrary to the science of vaccines
Users on social media are using a report from Public Health England to make false claims that vaccinated people are far likelier to die from COVID variants. These claims misrepresent the data in the report. In reality, vaccination greatly reduces the likelihood of hospitalisation. The AP has debunked these claims. Read the full article at the AP
Claims that COVID-19 vaccines that use mRNA technology (including the Pfizer and Moderna jabs) have never been tested on human beings circulates widely on social media alongside allegations that they have been considered too dangerous to use. In reality, mRNA vaccine testing began as early as 2015 to combat influenza, and were later adapted for
Rumours being spread on social media purport that some airlines are considering prohibiting vaccinated passengers from flying, allegedly due to increased risk of blood clotting. This false claim was repeated in Russian, Swiss, Spanish, and Australian sources. However, there is no evidence of any airlines considering this ban and there are no known links between
Social media users are sharing a post made by an anonymous person claiming to be the partner of an employee of the Irish Prison Service who alleges that the Irish Defence Forces are being called in to force vaccinations on unwilling prisoners. The post ends ominously with ‘Next it will be our children.’ In reality,
In the United Kingdom, scam emails are being sent by fraudsters claiming to be from the NHS offering ‘Coronavirus Digital Passports’, which the messages state will allow the recipient to travel freely with proof of vaccination. The email contains a link to a payment page. The UK does not have a ‘vaccine passport’ programme and