Health
Maajid Nawaz got Covid-19 facts wrong on the Joe Rogan podcast
The former LBC broadcaster made misleading claims about vaccines, infection rates and death tolls. Read
Fact checks
Covid-19 fact checks
This page brings together Full Fact’s fact checks on Covid-19, covering common claims, vaccine safety and efficacy, symptoms, treatments, government policies, and misinformation. We review evidence, correct errors, and monitor evolving science to help you make informed decisions.
Health
Estimating vaccine effectiveness by comparing case rates is seriously flawed
A common form of misinformation in recent months, comparing case rates does not give a reliable estimate of vaccine effectiveness. Read
Fact checks
Health
News clip doesn’t prove Queen is being treated with ivermectin
Screenshots and clips of an Australian news segment about Queen Elizabeth II have been shared widely online. Read
Fact checks
Health
Test and Trace money wasn’t just spent on an app
A video on Facebook makes claims about government overspending on Test and Trace, PPE and the value of fraudulent loans. Read
Fact checks
Health
Washington Post overstates prevalence of long Covid
The Washington Post claimed at least 50% of people who survive Covid-19 have debilitating health issues in the months afterwards. Official estimates are far lower. Read
Fact checks
Health
US defence data showing rise in diseases in 2021 was produced in error
The data has been cited by some to suggest Covid-19 vaccines are behind what are unrealistically large rises in the incidence of various diseases in the US military. Read
Fact checks
Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine does not cause birth defects
Participants in the original vaccine trial were required not to have unprotected sex for 28 days after their second dose, but this is just a standard precaution in new drug trials. Read
Fact checks
Health
Potential Covid-19 vaccine which used HIV protein was never rolled out
Claims there is HIV in Covid-19 vaccines is false, and refers to a vaccine abandoned at the trial stage which did use a small piece of protein from HIV. Read
Fact checks
Health
Covid-19 vaccines don’t cause immunodeficiency syndrome
Claims that vaccines are harming immune systems is based on flawed analysis comparing Covid-19 case rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Read
Fact checks
Health
‘BBC article’ claiming shallow breathing increases risk of heart attack is fake
Some social media users are sharing news stories, both real and fake, about possible risk factors for heart attacks to make incorrect claims about the risks of Covid-19 vaccines. Read
Fact checks
