No, CDC didn't remove COVID-19 vaccine adverse events from its website | Fact check
The claim: The CDC removed vaccine adverse event reports from its website
An Aug. 28 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shared by conservative commentator Ben Shapiro claims the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed an adverse reaction reporting system from its website.
"CDC Removes COVID Vaccine Adverse Event Reports From Website: Report," reads the post.
The post garnered more than 2,000 shares in nine days. Similar versions of the claim have been shared on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and the Epoch Times.
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Our rating: False
The CDC ended enrollment in its v-safe program, not its Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. Adverse reactions can still be reported, and data from v-safe is still available to the public, according to a spokesperson for the organization.
CDC didn't remove VAERS from website
The CDC announced on May 19 that it had closed enrollment in its v-safe program for COVID-19 vaccines and that a new version was being developed. The program previously provided personalized health check-ins via text message and web surveys for those who received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, reaching out once a day for the first week to collect information about how a person feels.
The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a separate program, which accepts reports of adverse reactions after vaccination. The CDC says on its website that anyone can submit a report, and a report doesn't necessarily mean a vaccine caused an adverse reaction.
Dave Daigle, a spokesperson for the CDC, told Paste BN that even though enrollment had closed for v-safe, the organization continues to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines through multiple vaccine safety monitoring systems, including VAERS.
"On May 19, 2023, the CDC closed enrollment in v-safe for COVID-19 vaccines, however, individuals who get vaccinated can still report any possible health problems or adverse events following vaccination to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System," said Daigle in an email. "Additionally, data from v-safe remains available for the public. Reports of adverse events have not been removed."
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Paste BN reached out to Shapiro for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
The claim has also been debunked by Lead Stories and Reuters.
Our fact-check sources:
- David Daigle, Sept. 7, Email exchange with Paste BN
- CDC, June 28, V-safe After Vaccination Health Checker
- CDC, Aug. 28, 2020, Vaccine Safety Monitoring
- CDC, Sept. 8, Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
- CDC, June 13, V-safe
- CDC, July 25, V-safe COVID-19
- CDC, April 19, Update: v-safe after vaccination health checker
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