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The benefits of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing severe disease and other complications outweigh the risk of myocarditis, which is higher after COVID-19 itself

mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are associated with rare cases of typically mild inflammation of the heart muscle. However, this risk is low compared to the risk of cardiac complications that COVID-19 itself carries. By reducing the likelihood of infection and preventing severe COVID-19, vaccination protects against the many problems associated with the disease, including myocarditis.

Multiple studies show that COVID-19 vaccines don’t cause pregnancy or fertility problems, despite widespread claims on social media

Pregnant women are more likely to develop severe COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant women. COVID-19 also increases the risk of pregnancy complications, including preterm delivery and stillbirth. COVID-19 vaccines can prevent these risks and aren’t associated with any safety issues during pregnancy. Therefore, public health authorities recommend that pregnant women get a COVID-19 vaccine.

The CGG CGG genetic sequence and furin cleavage sites also exist in naturally-occurring viruses; these features aren’t evidence of genetic manipulation

The CGG CGG genetic sequence is rare in the SARS-CoV-2 genome, but it can be readily found in nature, in many other genomes. SARS-CoV-2 possesses molecular features, such as a furin cleavage site in its spike protein, which enhance its disease-causing ability. This site is also present in other coronaviruses. The most likely hypothesis so far is that SARS-CoV-2 acquired these molecular traits through spontaneous exchange of genetic material with other viruses.

No evidence that SARS-CoV-2 was engineered in a laboratory, contrary to claim by Li-Meng Yan

Claims that the virus SARS-CoV-2 was engineered in a laboratory haven’t been substantiated by evidence. The virus’ genome and evolutionary trajectory are consistent with those of naturally-occurring viruses. Based on the scientific evidence so far, the consensus held by experts is that the virus most likely emerged naturally, by evolving in animals before later jumping to humans (zoonosis).

Cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children are unrelated to COVID-19 vaccines

Since October 2021, almost 200 cases of a severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin have been detected in young children from several European countries and in the U.S. One of the disease’s most striking features is its unusual severity, with 10% of the cases requiring liver transplantation. The leading hypothesis so far is that an adenovirus infection is causing or contributing to the disease, but health authorities are continuing to investigate other potential causes, including exposure to a toxic agent or infection by a novel pathogen.

Shedding light on LinkedIn’s enforcement of health misinformation policies: A pilot study

Summary of findings The career- and business-oriented social media platform LinkedIn has been absent from the public conversation around the topic of health misinformation, as compared to more informal platforms like Facebook and Twitter. While LinkedIn’s policies state that it prohibits “content directly contradicting guidance from leading global health organizations and public health authorities”, anecdotal … Continued

Comparing SARS-CoV-2 infection rate of vaccinated and unvaccinated populations doesn’t reflect the real COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness

Vaccinated and unvaccinated populations may differ in many characteristics, such as age, population size, social behavior or health seeking behavior. These differences must be taken into consideration when comparing the SARS-CoV-2 infection rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. Failure to do so may lead to biased conclusions. Studies accounting for these differences showed that COVID-19 vaccines effectively reduce the risk of getting sick.

Higher myocarditis risk after COVID-19 than mRNA vaccination; contrary to Peter McCullough’s claim, young persons decrease their risk by getting vaccinated

Myocarditis, an inflammation in the heart muscle, is typically caused by viral infections. In rare instances, myocarditis can also occur after COVID-19 vaccination. During the global COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the mRNA vaccines have been linked to rare cases of post-vaccine myocarditis that are usually mild and resolve; these have occurred primarily in young males. On the other hand, COVID-19 itself carries a much higher risk of heart complications, including myocarditis. Moreover, the COVID-19 vaccines decrease the risk of COVID-19-related myocarditis, meaning that COVID-19 vaccination continues to be recommended to young persons.