Hamilton Health Sciences addresses false claims connecting stillbirths and COVID-19 vaccines
Published November 25, 2021 at 2:12 pm
Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) took to social media to address rumours that there has been an increase in stillbirths at McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH). The false information connects stillbirths with the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We’ve been made aware that there is a false statement on social media claiming there’s been an increase in stillbirths at (MCH) and would like to reiterate that this is not true,” HHS tweeted Thursday (Nov. 25). “The vaccine is key in protecting people against severe COVID-19, especially people who are pregnant and at greater risk of more serious disease.”
who are pregnant and at greater risk of more serious disease. Expert information is available here, including several links to other resources confirming the safety of the vaccine: https://t.co/w3EtU091SD
— Hamilton Health Sciences (@HamHealthSci) November 25, 2021
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) had issued a similar tweet after the same false information was spread about stillbirths at Lions Gate Hospital (LGH) in North Vancouver.
“(We are) aware of rumours and disinformation spreading on social media regarding stillbirths at (LGH) as a result of mothers having been vaccinated against COVID-19,” VCH tweeted. “There is no truth to this claim and the individuals spreading this false information have no affiliation to either LGH or VCH. There has been no notable change to the incidence of stillbirths in the VCH region throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”
2: This type of disinformation adds unnecessary stress to expecting parents who have received a COVID-19 vaccine, on health-care staff who must reassure their patients, and on the health-care system, as resources are stretched further during the ongoing pandemic response.
— Vancouver Coastal Health (@VCHhealthcare) November 24, 2021
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Both health care providers shared links that provide scientific evidence to dispute the false claims.
The New England Journal of Medicine published a recent study that found no evidence of an increased risk for early pregnancy loss after COVID-19 vaccination.
The United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) found that implementing evidence-based COVID-19 prevention strategies, including vaccination, is critical to reducing the impact of COVID-19 on stillbirths.
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