The information, tragic, moved more than one internet user before being shared. According to several detractors of the vaccines, 25 children died in the United States after being vaccinated against the coronavirus. Figures that do not come out of the hat, but a labeled report “Food and Drug Administration”the American administration in charge of public health protection. Figures cited by Donald Trump himself. So why not believe it? Because in reality, the document cited does not bring back any reliable data. Even if he convinces the antiVAX a little more.
A participative database, where everyone can declare … what they want
If the report is unbearable as it stands (he talks about child death), 20 minutes rightly recalls that the data mentioned actually comes from a system of declaration of adverse events linked to vaccines, called VAERS. A platform that is not reliable.
For what ? Because the site allows everyone, doctor, anti -vax or … simple fabricator, to submit a report, figures, without any verification, nor any evidence. A system launched in the 90s on the principle of the good faith of the contributors, to allow to quickly alert on undesirable effects. At the time of lack of confidence in institutions and news fakes, the system has not been changed and does not bring more reliability. A good thing to know when even the Trump administration is riding the wave of vaccination dangers.
A raw declaration is never a conclusion
This false information is only yet another example of what can be shared without verification. But it damages the confidence of citizens and worried parents a little more and in search of benchmarks. This is why it seems more than ever to know how to check anxiety -provoking information.
“To identify a fake news like that claiming that the COVVIT vaccine would have killed 25 children in the United States, it is essential to meet the sources and to analyze their reliability” Insists Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical.
Figures on the disease or the vaccine are anxious? The most useful is to surf, of course, but on official public health sites (CDC, Public Health France, WHO). “In this specific case, none of them relayed a signal validated in this direction, and their epidemiological surveillance has never published such a figure”.
Finally, raw data is not worth conclusion. “”Scientific consensus and independent analyzes show that drawing conclusions on the basis of spontaneous notifications is not acceptable: no validated link has been demonstrated to date between COVVID vaccines and multiple deaths of children in the USA “Out our expert.
The answer was not to be found far away since the Vaers site said it itself. “”This data cannot be used to determine whether a vaccine has caused or contributed to an adverse event or to a disease ” And “cannot be used to determine unwanted event rates”. You still have to want to check the information …
How to sort out of information that affects us?
Finally, Dr. Kierzek, recalls some essential tips so as not to be fooled by the news fakes, as moving as they are:
- Favor official sources, scientific publications or the major media recognized to verify information;
- Check if the advanced figure has been the subject of a scientific analysis, an investigation or an official position (CDC, FDA, EMA …),
- Beware of isolated testimonies, raw datas of reporting platform and sensationalist titles;
- Always identify the scientific approach, data collection methods and the context of publication.
“In the event of doubt, consult public health sites or request the advice of a health professional. Fake news operates fear, confusion around raw figures and unrealistic expectations towards vaccination safety”.