Coronavirus fact checker

There are lot's of posts on social media or stories out there about Coronavirus and the vaccine. We used the Full Fact website to find out some of the claims and what is true. 

Claim: There are animal products in vaccines

Fact:  Pork gelatine is used in some vaccines, but not the Covid-19 vaccines being used in the U.K. The vaccines made by Pfizer/BioNTech, Oxford/AstraZeneca and Moderna that were recently approved for use in the UK do not contain any animal-derived ingredients.  

Full information on the ingredients of the Oxford-AstrazenecaPfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines can be found on their patient information leaflets.

None contain any products derived from animals. The UK vaccine rollout is endorsed by the British Islamic Medical AssociationHindu Council UK, and the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

Claim: Police will now require written evidence of a medical exemption if people are to avoid a fine for not wearing a mask. 

Fact: The rules have not changed, people with medical exemptions from wearing a mask are not legally required to carry an exemption card or badge. But the police union says officers may ask people for proof to enforce mask wearing laws. 

Claim: Rapid Covid-19 tests are unreliable because fruit and Coca-Cola can give “positive” results. 

Fact: This is not true. Rapid Covid tests very rarely give false positive results when used on humans, as intended. They more often give false negatives. 

Posted: 27/01/2021 By Julie Humphreys  | 0 comments

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