LONDON: Online posts suggesting a link between Covid-19 vaccines and an increase in AIDS-associated illnesses have resurfaced, despite no evidence supporting such claims. The narrative, debunked by Reuters, falsely asserts that Covid vaccines weaken the immune system in a manner similar to AIDS.
BREAKING: Aids-associated diseases and cancers have increased by 338x since the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the CDC.
— Patrick Webb (@RealPatrickWebb) May 22, 2023
https://shorturl.at/doGK0
Independent experts and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed that Covid vaccines do not cause AIDS-like immune deficiency, and there has been no documented 300-fold increase in AIDS-related conditions in the United States.
https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2022/what-vaers-is-and-isnt
The posts, which have gained significant traction, reference a tweet claiming a 338-fold rise in AIDS-associated diseases and cancers since the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines, allegedly based on information from the CDC. However, the CDC and other health experts have discredited these claims. The misleading narrative originated from an article published by The Expose, an online outlet known for spreading debunked stories.
https://archive.ph/eWPHK
https://archive.ph/4sGEC
Conditions Associated with AIDS and HIV
The Expose article selectively cherry-picked conditions associated with AIDS and HIV infection, falsely implying an increase in these conditions based on reports in the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) database. VAERS is an open system where anyone can report any health event following vaccination, and its reports are not verified unless a safety signal is detected. The CDC has stated that there is no evidence linking Covid vaccines to HIV or AIDS-related diseases.
https://vaers.hhs.gov/
Experts have emphasized that Covid vaccines enhance the immune system and do not cause immune deficiencies. While there have been rare cases of myocarditis and pericarditis following vaccination, these instances are outweighed by the benefits of vaccination in preventing Covid-19. Studies have shown a slight increase in myocarditis and pericarditis rates following vaccination, but the likelihood of developing these conditions from a Covid infection is even higher.
The circulation of this false claim highlights the importance of fact-checking and relying on credible sources when assessing information related to vaccines. It is crucial to trust information provided by reputable health organizations and consult with medical experts to make informed decisions regarding vaccinations.
