Last Updated on July 9, 2021 by Team THIP
Quick Take
Few social media users have uploaded photos and videos of younger children getting vaccinated at fast-food chain McDonald’s. The users claim that McDonald’s is giving out ‘experimental’, ‘unapproved’ vaccines to children luring them with free meals. We fact-checked and found that the claims are False.
The Claim
One of the users wrote, “McDonald’s is giving out experimental MRNA inoculations to children.”. Another user wrote, “McDonald’s is giving out free combo meals to children who get experimental death shots”.
Such posts can be seen here, here, and here. And a snapshot is given below.
Fact Check
Is McDonald’s giving vaccine shots ?
Yes. McDonald’s has become an authorized vaccine delivery center in the United States. McDonald’s partnered with the California Department of Public Health to have pop-up clinics at more than 70 locations in the state starting June 21, 2021. The announcement was shared on the website of the California Department of Health here.
Is McDonald’s giving vaccine shots and free meals to children?
In the United States vaccines are approved for children as low as 12 years. The video voiceover claims that the child in the video is 13 years old. In that case, he is eligible for a vaccine shot.
McDonald’s has further created a website to inform people about the centers and vaccines. The website camcdevents.com clearly mentions that people who take vaccines will also receive a coupon for one menu item free of charge.
Is any of the vaccines given at McDonals’s ‘experimental’?
The website camcdevents.com lists down the vaccines available in each centre. As of the date of publishing this story, Pfizer, one of the vaccines listed on the website is approved in the United States for children above 12 years.
The word ‘experimental’ was misused by the user to cast doubt about vaccination. All the vaccines listed on the McDonald’s website are approved by the Govt. of the United States after multiple rounds of clinical trial details of which can be found here and here.