Physician makes false claims about COVID-19 vaccines and treatment

A cardiologist who opposes vaccines and has a large social media platform spoke to the Arizona Senate Novel Coronavirus Southwestern Intergovernmental Committee. In his speech, he falsely claimed that COVID-19 vaccines have caused mass deaths. He also falsely claimed that ivermectin is a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19.

Recommendation: 

These types of false claims may promote COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and may encourage the use of dangerous, unproven treatments for COVID-19. Debunking messaging may emphasize that COVID-19 vaccines do not cause excess deaths—they prevent death, as well as severe illness, hospitalization, and long COVID. Messaging on public health websites and informational materials may emphasize that ivermectin is not an effective treatment for COVID-19, and taking ivermectin for off-label purposes can result in poisoning. These conversions may provide an opportunity to promote recommended antiviral treatments for COVID-19 that have been tested, proven effective, and determined to be safe. Ensuring that information about COVID-19 treatment options is up to date, clear, and accessible in multiple languages is recommended.