Fact check: MRNA COVID-19 vaccines have good safety record, debunking misleading claims

SciCheck Digest The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have a good safety record and have saved millions of lives. But viral posts claim the contrary, citing a recent peer-reviewed article authored by known COVID-19 misinformation spreaders and published in a controversial journal. The paper repeats previously debunked claims. Full Story The safety of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna is supported by the rigorous clinical trials run prior to their release and numerous studies conducted since. Hundreds of millions of people have been vaccinated in the U.S., many with multiple doses, and serious side effects are rare. COVID-19 vaccines have also been shown to be& effective& in reducing the risk of severe forms of the disease.& Multiple& studies& have& estimated& that the COVID-19 vaccines saved millions of lives across the globe. But an& article& — written by misinformation spreaders who oppose COVID-19 vaccination — that claims to have reviewed the original trials and “other relevant studies” largely ignores this body of evidence. Instead, the review, which calls for a “global moratorium” on the mRNA vaccines, cites multiple flawed or criticized studies —& many& of& which& we’ve& written& about& before& — to falsely claim the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have caused “extensive,...