Are claims linking recent U.S. trends in cancer diagnoses to COVID-19 vaccines plausible? A look at the available data

Claims questioning COVID-19 vaccine safety have circulated continuously since COVID-19 vaccination campaigns began at the end of 2020. One such claim suggests that there has been an unprecedented rise in the number of cancer cases after the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, implying that the vaccines are responsible for this phenomenon. Science Feedback previously explained why this … Continued

No, a court didn’t rule that the FDA broke the law with advisory warning against using ivermectin for COVID-19

Ivermectin is approved for treating parasitic infections in people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some promoted ivermectin as an effective drug to treat COVID-19. Some physicians also prescribed the drug “off-label” for COVID-19. However, there is a lack of reliable scientific evidence to support using ivermectin to treat COVID-19. Ivermectin isn’t approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating COVID-19.

No evidence that persistent symptoms are more frequent after COVID-19 vaccination than after infection, contrary to an op-ed in The Hill

Some people have reported symptoms resembling long COVID after COVID-19 vaccination. Research on these symptoms is still limited, and their potential link with COVID-19 vaccines remains undetermined. However, these cases are rare, and the risk associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection far outweighs the risk of developing long-term complications after COVID-19 vaccination. Studies are ongoing to better understand the cause of post-vaccination symptoms and their possible relationship with COVID-19 vaccines.

CDC analysis of RSV vaccines data showed vaccines are safe, not associated with excess deaths, contrary to claim by Children’s Health Defense

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections are very common during winter. Most of them are mild but complications can lead to pneumonia and bronchiolitis, especially in babies and older adults. RSV vaccines are effective and recommended for people above 60. Current evidence indicates their benefits outweigh their risks. Further research is needed to determine if these vaccines are associated with a higher risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Childhood vaccines are an important protection against preventable diseases, not “poison” as claimed by Candace Owens

Vaccines are thoroughly tested for safety, and common side effects, such as soreness, are signs of the body developing protective immunity. Childhood vaccination has saved hundreds of thousands of lives, and lower uptake can lead to disease outbreaks. Toxic chemicals, such as mercury, aluminum, and formaldehyde, are either in a safe form, found in only trace quantities that are safe, or have been removed entirely.

Claim that myocarditis from COVID-19 vaccines carries serious risk of death is based on flawed study

Studies have shown that people vaccinated against COVID-19 are less likely to develop severe disease, require hospitalization, and die from COVID-19 compared to unvaccinated people. While COVID-19 vaccines are associated with a slightly elevated risk of myocarditis and a particular blood clotting disorder, it is COVID-19 that is associated with a greater risk of these illnesses and other complications. On balance, the evidence gathered so far by studies shows that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risks, not the other way around.

Incorrect claim that COVID-19 vaccines caused a 143,233% surge in cancer results from flawed calculations that misuse adverse event reporting data

Safety data and multiple studies show that COVID-19 vaccines effectively reduce the risk of severe or fatal COVID-19 cases, while the risk of serious side effects from vaccination is very small. But COVID-19 vaccines come with tighter reporting requirements than earlier vaccines, which results in more adverse event reports to vaccine safety databases compared to other vaccines. This doesn’t indicate any safety issues but instead reflects an increased reporting rate.

Russell Brand’s YouTube videos use flawed analyses and simplistic correlations to link COVID-19 vaccines to heart issues, cancer, excess deaths

COVID-19 vaccines are effective at reducing the risk of severe COVID-19 and death. Thus, they help minimize the risk of developing complications from the disease, including cardiovascular problems, organ failure, and long COVID. Although certain COVID-19 vaccines are associated with a slightly increased risk of heart inflammation in young males, this risk is much smaller than the risks posed by COVID-19 itself.