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 check
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
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 check
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 check
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 check
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 check
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 check
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 check
Bill Gates didn’t say all Covid-19 vaccines should be withdrawn
A Facebook post falsely claims the Microsoft founder wanted all Covid vaccines removed from use Read
Fact check
Health
US data doesn’t prove increase in cancer following vaccine rollout
The blog post making these claims is based on false US military data. Read
Fact check
The government hasn’t admitted Covid-19 vaccines damage your natural immune system
This seems to be based on misinterpretations of government reports. Read
Fact check
Evidence you can rely on
Fact checking claims made by politicians, public figures and viral online content can give you the full picture backed by the evidence.
Subscribe to weekly email newsletters from Full Fact for updates on politics, immigration, health and more. Our fact checks are free to read but not to produce, so you will also get occasional emails about fundraising and other ways you can help. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information about how we use your data see our Privacy Policy.