Rumor – A group of nurses in Massachusetts was diagnosed with cancer due to the Covid-19 vaccine.
Analysis
More than five years after the start of the pandemic, fake news about vaccines continues to spread online. This time, the story takes advantage of a real news event.
In recent days, a claim has circulated on social media and denialist websites in various countries that a group of nurses at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts was diagnosed with brain tumors. The message suggests that these cases are related to Covid-19 vaccination.
The claim has been shared in different versions, always aiming to create fear about the vaccine, and has been translated into multiple languages. Below are some of the messages being spread:
Version 1: In Massachusetts, a surprising cluster of brain tumor diagnoses has emerged among vaccinated nurses in the maternal care ward on the fifth floor. Ten long-time staff members were affected simultaneously, raising alarm and questions about a possible link between mRNA vaccines and cancer.
Version 2: Ten vaccinated nurses at a Massachusetts hospital were diagnosed with brain tumors simultaneously, says local news site. Nurses at Newton-Wellesley Hospital say they are concerned about the growing number of cancer cases among veteran nurses working in a maternal care ward on the fifth floor. “You go to work every day with that feeling in your stomach, and it’s a terrible feeling,” an unidentified nurse told WBZ-TV.
Fact-Check
This story has fueled denialist narratives, but it is yet another piece of fake news. Let’s analyze the three main questions related to this case: 1) Is it true that an unusual situation occurred with nurses at the Massachusetts hospital? 2) Did the vaccine cause brain cancer or tumors in hospital staff in Massachusetts? 3) Does the vaccine cause cancer or brain tumors?
Is it true that an unusual situation occurred with nurses at the Massachusetts hospital?
Yes, reports confirm that a group of nurses at Newton-Wellesley Hospital was diagnosed with brain tumors. According to reports from CBS News and Yahoo News, at least ten professionals at the facility were diagnosed with the condition (none of which were classified as malignant).
Local health authorities confirmed that they are monitoring the cases to determine whether there is any link between the work environment and the diagnoses. However, so far, no connection to any external factor has been confirmed.
Did the vaccine cause brain cancer or tumors in hospital staff in Massachusetts?
There is no scientific evidence or official investigation suggesting that Covid-19 vaccines caused brain tumors in the nurses. The outbreak of the disease is being analyzed by experts to identify potential environmental or genetic factors that may have contributed to the cases. Furthermore, no U.S. health agency, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has reported any link between mRNA vaccines and cancer incidence.
It is worth noting that the sources of these claims linking the case to vaccination are the same ones responsible for spreading multiple fake news stories about Covid-19 vaccines during the pandemic (such as the alleged connection between the vaccine and heart problems).
Does the vaccine cause cancer or brain tumors?
The short answer is: no. There is no scientific evidence proving that Covid-19 vaccines, or any other vaccines, cause cancer. Research conducted by institutions such as the American Cancer Society and the World Health Organization indicates that there is no plausible biological mechanism linking the vaccine to tumor development.
Additionally, multiple studies have analyzed the safety of mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer and Moderna, and no connection to cancer has been found. On the contrary, vaccination protects against severe Covid-19 complications and does not pose a risk for the development of conditions like brain tumors.
Conclusion
The case of nurses diagnosed with cancer at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts is real. However, there is no evidence or investigation linking the diagnoses to the Covid-19 vaccine. The claim that mRNA vaccines cause cancer has no scientific basis and is yet another piece of misinformation.
Fake news ❌
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