Video falsely claiming that COVID-19 does not exist resurfaces
Rare viruses reignite vaccine and pandemic conspiracies.
Other videos reignited unfounded concerns about COVID-19 vaccine safety.
This past week, a video on X claiming that COVID-19 is not real garnered hundreds of thousands of views, with some comments falsely claiming that COVID-19 vaccines contain poison. In other discussions, two YouTube videos elicited thousands of comments doubting vaccine safety.
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On October 7, an X user shared a previously debunked 2020 video of a journalist falsely claiming that COVID-19 does not exist, citing an alleged letter from the U.K. Department of Health and Social Care stating that the department “does not hold any information on the isolation of a SARS-CoV-2 virus.” The post received approximately 679,800 views, 13,000 likes, 7,400 reposts, and 330 comments as of October 21. Most comments perpetuated the video’s false claim that COVID-19 is not real and shared the additional false claim that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and contain “poison.” However, some comments questioned the video’s message. One read, “I never got the shot and disobeyed the mandates however, if it doesn't exist then what did I get sick with because it sure as hell wasn't a normal flu.”
On October 5, a French politician shared a YouTube video falsely claiming that mRNA vaccines are unsafe. The video garnered approximately 139,600 views, 24,000 likes and 2,240 comments as of October 21. In the comments, some YouTube users stated that they had not received any mRNA COVID-19 vaccines due to safety concerns, and others expressed worry for those who have received mRNA vaccines, suggesting that they will face negative health consequences.
Another YouTube video shared on October 4 featured a professor who alleged that the EU’s preparations for future public health emergencies, such as the development of a digital vaccine certificate, will lead to a “health dictatorship” and infringe on the rights of citizens. The video received approximately 157,300 views, 12,000 likes and 3,370 comments as of October 21. Most comments perpetuated the false claim that vaccines are unsafe and stated that they should never be mandated. One read, “Non-vaccinated people are healthier people.”
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Health messaging recommendations
In light of false claims that COVID-19 does not exist, messaging may explain that COVID-19 is a real illness that is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide. COVID-19 is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, which was first identified in January 2020. Additional messaging may emphasize that all approved COVID-19 vaccines are safe. This includes mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, which have been monitored for over four years with no widespread safety concerns. Health care providers and public health communicators may continue to reiterate that staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines prevents severe illness, hospitalization, long-term health complications, and death from COVID-19.