Misleading Interpretations of the WHO’s Director-General Speech Regarding Children Vaccination
The Claim
Tedros Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization, said that COVID-19 vaccines are being used to "kill children" at a press conference in Geneva on Monday, December 20, 2021.
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Emerging story
Websites and social media users have circulated posts claiming the World Health Organization’s Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus said the COVID-19 booster shots are used to “kill children” during a press conference in Geneva.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar has investigated the claim and found it misleading.
According to the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stumbled over the first syllable of the word "children," giving the impression of saying "kill children," an expression that does not appear in the speech's official transcription.
Photo description: The expression does not appear on the official transcription of the speech.
WHO did not ask to avoid children vaccination. However, the organization called for their vaccination since children and adolescents are infected at the same rate as adults.
The UN mentioned that the vaccination of young people in school should be considered according to the countries’ health situation.
Photo description: There is no available information about the vaccination risks below the age of 18 years.
Also, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has called for children vaccination to help provide immunity before kids are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.
The center assured that vaccines were tested to ensure their safety and effectiveness for children to receive at the recommended ages.
Photo description: Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe for children.
