Search Results for coronavirus

COVID-19 vaccines lowered excess deaths during the pandemic, contrary to headline by the Daily Telegraph

The COVID-19 vaccines are estimated to have saved 14 million lives worldwide within their first year. While there are extremely rare instances of heart inflammation and blood clots following vaccination, these risks are far outweighed by the lives saved. While excess deaths were observed from 2020 to 2022, the vast majority are due directly or indirectly to COVID-19 itself. The data that we have shows no association with the COVID-19 vaccines.

Claim that Portuguese court found COVID-19 PCR tests to be “97% inaccurate” based on misinterpreted findings

PCR tests work by detecting a virus’ genetic material in biological samples like blood or saliva. These tests are highly sensitive and specific. Trace amounts of viral genetic material, left behind after an initial infection is over, can still be detected by PCR tests even when the infected person is no longer contagious. While PCR tests are excellent at detecting current and recent infections, there can be uncertainty when it comes to using them to determine if a person is still contagious.

Parkinson’s has no cure; nicotine patches haven’t been proven an effective treatment

Epidemiological studies consistently show that smokers are less likely to develop Parkinson’s. This isn’t a reason to start smoking, as the health risks associated with it far outweigh any potential benefits. However, this research suggests that specific ingredients in cigarettes might have therapeutic potential in Parkinson’s. Nicotine, the main component of cigarettes, has been shown to protect neurons against damage in rodents and monkeys. However, clinical trials have failed to show a similar effect in people with Parkinson’s.

Very rare cases of blood clots linked to the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine are well-known and have been publicly recognized since 2021

The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was one of the few tools available to reduce the risk of serious illness and death at the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The vaccine underwent rigorous testing to ensure it was safe and effective. In 2021, a rare but serious condition involving blood clots with low platelet level—known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia—was associated with the vaccine. However, the chance that this condition will occur after vaccination is very low, and the benefits of vaccination outweigh this small risk.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were tested in clinical trials, aren’t experimental

Clinical trials and ongoing vaccine monitoring efforts show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at reducing a person’s risk of severe disease and death. Like any medical intervention, vaccines also come with risks. While COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are linked to a slight increase in the risk of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), COVID-19 itself is associated with a greater risk of heart inflammation and other health complications. On balance, the benefits of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines outweigh their risks.

No evidence budesonide, clarithromycin, and aspirin combination is “silver bullet” for COVID-19, contrary to Texas doctor’s claim

Randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard when it comes to testing the safety and effectiveness of a medical treatment. Unlike anecdotes, randomized controlled trials contain several safeguards, such as experimental controls, blinding, and randomization, which help to reduce the risk of bias and improve the reliability of a trial’s findings.

Virologist Geert Vanden Bossche makes unsupported prediction that mass COVID-19 vaccination will cause an immune “collapse”

Immunity from either COVID-19 vaccination or from infection, exerts selective pressure on a virus and can drive viral evolution, potentially leading to new variants. However, not vaccinating and allowing the virus to spread freely carries the risk of severe disease and death and would also increase the virus’ opportunities to mutate. COVID-19 vaccines, while imperfect, help reduce the spread of the virus and the risk of severe illness and death.

Country-to-country comparison doesn’t show that COVID-19 vaccines are ineffective, contrary to Facebook post by journalist Sharyl Attkisson

When comparing country-level COVID-19 data, care must be taken when drawing conclusions because such analyses come with a high risk of bias. It is important to account for many factors, such as COVID-19 testing policy, each country’s age distribution, and compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures, because these are all factors that affect COVID-19 outcomes reported in each country.

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