The Claim:
A video showing two doctors discussing a recent study puts forth a number of claims about how some people might get Long COVID-like symptoms after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. They suggest that the vaccine’s spike protein might be unusual and stay in the body longer than expected and that the vaccine needs to be tailored to the individual.
The Facts:
The study this video refers to discusses a natural occurrence called a frameshift, where an error in reading the mRNA could result in an abbreviated protein, or a different protein altogether. The study acknowledges frameshifting is occurring, notes “there are no adverse outcomes reported from mistranslation of mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in humans,” and discusses how to reduce frameshifting in future vaccines.
The video then looks at this article, with interviews from the paper’s authors, and dissects the language to attempt to question the current vaccine’s safety. Namely, it looks at the line “We need to ensure that mRNA vaccines of the future are as reliable” to try to imply that future vaccines will be safer than current ones.
The video interprets this line as scientists trying to make future vaccines more slip-resistant so frameshifting is reduced. This endeavor, according to their scripts, means that current vaccines aren’t safe.
Looking at the line within context results in a completely different interpretation. Research has shown beyond doubt that mRNA vaccination against COVID-19 is safe. Billions of doses of the Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines have been safely delivered, saving lives worldwide. Still, scientists would like to reduce frameshifting in general, and if they do, ensure that vaccines are as reliable as they currently are.
The video from the tweet also implies the question “If frameshifting is occurring, what is the result?” According to this paper, the answer is that this frameshifting primarily results in an abbreviated protein and not any new, harmful proteins and that the vast majority of the spike protein is translated faithfully.
Lastly, the video asks “How much do we need to have to know before we consider it completely safe.” With billions of doses given worldwide, we have enough evidence to show that the vaccine is safe and effective.
Disclaimer: Science is always evolving and our understanding of these topics may have evolved since this was originally posted. Browse the latest information posted in Just the Facts Topics.
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