FACT CHECK: Did The German Government Claim Investigating COVID Vaccines Would Be ‘Dangerous To Democracy’?
A post shared on Instagram purports the German government claims investigating COVID-19 vaccines would be “dangerous to democracy.”
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Verdict: False
The claim stems from an article published on a website known for publishing incorrect information. There is no evidence suggesting the German government made such a claim.
Fact Check:
Germany sent its first batch of the BioNTech vaccine to China in December 2022 following Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to the country in November, Reuters reported. The vaccines were sent to China to be administered to Germans who live in the country and had previously been unable to access the shot, according to ABC News.
The Instagram post, liked over 2,000 times, purports the German government claims investigating COVID-19 vaccines would be “dangerous to democracy.” The post features a screenshot of an article that includes a photo of Alena Buyx, president of the German Medical Ethics Council.
The claim is false. There are no credible news reports suggesting the German government has made such a remark. Likewise, the claim is neither mentioned on the German Federal Ministry of Health’s website nor its verified social media accounts. In addition, Buyx has not publicly commented on the purported claim.
A keyword search reveals the claim stems from a Jan. 5 article published on the website, “NewsPunch.” A “Liability Disclaimer” included on the site’s “Terms of Use” page indicates it “makes no representations about the suitability, reliability, availability, timeliness, and accuracy of the information, software, products, services and related graphics contained on the site for any purpose.”
The site, which was previously known as “YourNewsWire,” is described as “one of the most well-known purveyors of fake news online,” according to a 2019 article from Mashable. (RELATED: Did Japan Launch An Investigation Into Millions Of Deaths Caused By The COVID-19 Vaccine?)
Check Your Fact has contacted the German Federal Ministry of Health for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.
