FACT CHECK: Did The US Military Find The Drug Scopolamine In COVID-19 Vaccines?

Christine Sellers | Fact Check Reporter

A post shared on Facebook claims the U.S. military found evidence of the drug scopolamine in COVID-19 vaccines meant for children.

Verdict: False

There is no evidence to suggest the U.S. military uncovered traces of scopolamine in COVID-19 vaccines. The claim stems from a satirical website.

Fact Check:

Scopolamine is a synthetic drug used to “prevent nausea and vomiting” induced by motion sickness or medications used in surgery, according to Medline Plus. The drug is also known as “devil’s breath” due to its alleged ability to remove a person’s free will and has reportedly been utilized by thieves in South American countries, The Guardian reports. The drug is both odorless and tasteless, according to Science Explorer.

A post shared on Facebook claims the U.S. military recently found evidence of the drug in COVID-19 vaccines. “The U.S. military has found the drug scopolamine in Covid-19 vaccines destined to reach the arms of children, sources in Gen. David H. Berger’s office told Real Raw News,” reads part of the post.

The claim is false. There are no credible news reports suggesting such a drug has been found in any COVID-19 vaccines. There is no mention of such a discovery on the Department of Defense’s website. Similarly, there are no press releases on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website or social media accounts indicating that any traces of scopolamine were discovered in COVID-19 vaccines.

The full ingredients of all the FDA-approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines, including those produced by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson, are publicly available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. None contain scopolamine. (RELATED: Did The Chief Health Officer Of New South Wales Celebrate Having ‘Only 3 Deaths’ In Children Attributed To The COVID Vaccine?)

A keyword search revealed the viral claim stems from a July 21 article published by the website Real Raw News. The website includes a disclaimer on its “About Us” page that states, “This website contains humor, parody, and satire.”

Check Your Fact has reached out to the Department of Defense for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.

Christine Sellers

Fact Check Reporter

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