Spanish-language posts resurface misleading claims about COVID-19 vaccine side effects

Several Spanish-language social media users known for spreading vaccine misinformation resurfaced a Pfizer document claiming that it shows all of the vaccine’s “adverse effects.” Users also falsely claim that Pfizer was forced to publish the document with the vaccine’s supposed 1,291 adverse effects and that the company intended to hide it. 

Recommendation: These types of posts attempt to undermine the public’s perception of COVID-19 vaccine safety. Continuing to reiterate that COVID-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested and determined to be safe—as adverse effects are extremely rare—is recommended. Ensuring that informational materials, including websites and FAQs, explain that COVID-19 vaccines prevent severe illness, hospitalization, death, and long COVID is also recommended. If directly debunking the false claim that Pfizer was forced to publish a list of its vaccine’s “adverse effects,” explaining that the document referenced in those posts is part of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine Biologics License Application to the FDA is recommended. Additionally, the listed adverse effects in the document are unverified and were not necessarily caused by Pfizer’s vaccine.