The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people worldwide and the race for a vaccine has been the forefront of the global response to the pandemic. One of the vaccines that has been developed and approved for emergency use is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. However, there have been various myths and misconceptions surrounding the vaccine, one of which is the silence of the US media on the reported deaths following vaccination. This article will explore the reasons behind this perceived media silence, and examine the myths and facts surrounding the side effects of the Pfizer vaccine.
Why were US media silent on Pfizer vaccine deaths?
The first reason for the perceived media silence is the limited number of deaths reported after vaccination. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of reported deaths following vaccination is extremely small compared to the number of people who have been vaccinated. In fact, the CDC reports that less than 1% of vaccine adverse events reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) are deaths.
Another reason for the perceived media silence is that the media often relies on official sources for information, such as the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who have not released any official statement linking the deaths to the vaccine. In addition, the media also typically waits for a thorough investigation to be conducted before reporting on a potential link between the vaccine and the reported deaths.
Finally, it is important to note that the media also has a responsibility to report accurate information and not to spread misinformation or alarm the public. The media may have been cautious in reporting on the deaths following vaccination to avoid causing unnecessary fear and mistrust in the vaccine.
Myths and facts surrounding the side effects of the Pfizer vaccine:
Myth: The Pfizer vaccine causes long-term side effects.
Fact: The CDC reports that the most common side effects of the Pfizer vaccine are mild and short-lived, such as pain and swelling at the injection site, fever, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue. These side effects usually resolve within a few days. The CDC also reports that there is no evidence to suggest that the Pfizer vaccine causes long-term side effects.
Myth: The Pfizer vaccine causes blood clots.
Fact: The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has reported a rare incidence of blood clots in some individuals who have received the Pfizer vaccine. However, the EMA also reports that the benefits of the vaccine still outweigh the risks and that the vaccine is safe for the vast majority of people. The CDC also states that the available evidence does not suggest that the vaccine causes blood clots.
Myth: The Pfizer vaccine causes infertility.
Fact: There is no evidence to suggest that the Pfizer vaccine causes infertility. The CDC reports that the vaccine has been extensively studied and there is no evidence to support this myth.
Conclusion: The Pfizer vaccine has been a crucial tool in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there have been various myths and misconceptions surrounding the vaccine, one of which is the perceived silence of the US media on the reported deaths following vaccination. This article has explored the reasons behind this perceived media silence, and has examined the myths and facts surrounding the side effects of the Pfizer vaccine. The most common side effects of the vaccine are mild and short-lived, and there is no evidence to suggest that the vaccine causes long-term side effects or infertility. The vaccine is safe for the vast majority of people, and the benefits of the vaccine continue to outweigh the risks.
