Fake Quote Attributed to WHO’s Director General Tedros
The Claim
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was quoted saying: “people who have received the third dose of the Pfizer vaccine are at risk of sexual impotence, dysfunction, and transformation.”
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Emerging story
Social media users across the MENA region are circulating a statement attributed to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, claiming that "people who have received the third dose of the Pfizer vaccine are at risk of sexual impotence , dysfunction, and transformation.”
Photo Description: A screenshot of the circulating claim.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating claim and found it to be fake, as Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus did not state that people who received the third dose of Pfizer’s vaccine were at risk of sexual impotence, dysfunction, and transformation. This was not reported by any credible news sources nor the WHO’s official channels.
Tedros Remarks on the Third Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine
In August last year, Tedros called for delaying the administration of the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine until the end of September of the same year, in order to help ensure that doses in countries with smaller populations received the first vaccine doses. Tedros made the appeal to wealthier countries whose vaccine supplies outnumbered those of other countries.
Photo Description: Credible news sources reporting on Tedros plea to delay third doses of the vaccines.
In December 2021, Tedros reiterated his call for better access to vaccines in poor countries. "If we want to end the epidemic next year, we must end inequality (in vaccines) by ensuring that 70% of the population in each country is vaccinated by the middle of next year," he said. The WHO was not opposed to enhanced doses, but stressed that they should be limited to those at risk or over the age of 65.
Photo Description: Article reporting on Tedros hopes for 2022.
Who Reports on the Pfizer Vaccine
"The use of the vaccine has proven safe and effective for people with various diseases," the WHO said in a report posted on its website on Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. "These include hypertension, diabetes, asthma, lung disease, liver and kidney diseases, as well as stable and controlled chronic infections," they added. "Given the moderate or serious vulnerability of people with HIV, the WHO advises an additional dose.” Moreover, the WHO recommended that the vaccine be given priority to health workers at high risk of infection and the elderly, as vaccine supplies are limited.
Photo Description: Article discussing what the vaccine contains.
Based on the findings, Misbar’s team confirms that the quote was falsely attributed to Tedros, and that the vaccine is safe to take.
Translated by Dina Faisal
