Last Updated on August 1, 2024 by Nivedita
Quick Take
Several social media posts claim to observe an increase in cancer cases following the Covid-19 vaccination. We fact-checked and found the claim to be False.
The Claim
A Facebook post claims, “I AM OBSERVING a massive spike in cancer. I am warning that there is now 20 times the normal average of certain types of cancers ever since the “Operation Warp Speed” injections were first introduced”.
The social media post is also available here and here.
Fact Check
Can Covid-19 vaccines cause cancer?
No evidence suggests that Covid-19 vaccines can cause cancer. The posts circulating on social media websites claiming the Covid-19 vaccines cause cancer are not based upon any research findings.
However, a study shows that Cancer patients may have delayed the diagnosis during the pandemic. Delayed treatment is the only explanation for a sudden rise in cancer patients in some areas. Research claims that India has shown ‘a substantial decline in the number of new registrations, follow-up visits, cancer surgeries, radiotherapy and chemotherapy sessions during the peak of the lockdown in 2020’.
A fake post claimed that the COVID vaccinations are leading to cancer and the number of cancer patients have increased after vaccination.
Moreover, no study suggests that the active ingredients in Covid-19 vaccines can cause cancer. On the contrary, research suggests that vaccines are safe and effective to a certain extent for cancer patients. Another study in 2021 has shown that Covid vaccines increase helper T-cells to initiate an immune response against infection. However, further research is needed to understand if increased T-cells can kill cancer cells.
The Healthy Indian Project (THIP) has already discussed Covid-19 vaccines do not cause cancer.