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Where the Rumor Came From
The claim appears to stem from misinterpretations of scientific discussions about vaccine ingredients and poorly understood laboratory studies. Some posts refer to DNA fragments used in vaccine manufacturing, such as short sections of SV40 DNA, and incorrectly suggest these fragments cause cancer. However:
- These DNA pieces are non‑infectious and present only in very small amounts used in vaccine production — not in the final vaccine itself in harmful quantities.
- Experts and regulators emphasize that residual DNA does not integrate into human DNA or cause cancer. (FactCheck.org)
What Pfizer and Health Authorities Actually Say
Pfizer has explicitly stated that there is no evidence the COVID‑19 vaccine alters DNA or induces cancer. In responses to public concerns, the company reiterated that claims linking residual vaccine components to cancer are unsupported and misinterpreted. (FactCheck.org)
Why These Claims Persist
Occasionally, small laboratory studies or observational data show correlations without establishing causation — meaning that just because two things occur together (like vaccination and later cancer diagnosis), it doesn’t mean one caused the other. These results are often misrepresented online as “proof” of harm when they don’t actually demonstrate a causal link. (KFF)
Additionally, some social posts amplify isolated or unvetted interpretations from fringe sources, positioning them as official admissions — which they are not. No reputable scientific body or regulatory agency has acknowledged any evidence that the vaccines cause cancer. (KFF)
What Science Shows About Vaccine Safety
- COVID‑19 vaccines have undergone large clinical trials and extensive safety monitoring, and no causal link to cancer has been found. (FactCheck.org)
- Studies continue to track long‑term outcomes, and health authorities regularly update vaccine guidance based on the best available evidence.
- Some research actually explores how vaccine technologies might help fight cancer, not cause it — demonstrating an entirely different application of the science. (KFF)
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