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PeakMetrics / Fact Checks

Health & medicine fact checks

Explore claims publishers have checked about health & medicine. Read their original ratings and follow the evidence.

13,666 published reviews in this topic

Deutsche WelleHealth & medicine

Claim: The vaccine causes infertility. Rashid Mehmood Soomro, a Pakistani politician from the ultra-conservative Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) party in Sindh province, claimed that the HPV vaccine causes infertility. Speaking at a public event earlierthis month, he criticized the campaign as suspicious and harmful.

Publisher’s rating: DW Fact check: False Scientific evidence does not back this claim. A peer-reviewed U.S. study found no association between the HPV vaccination and infertility in women aged 18 to 33. Similarly, the World Health Organization’s Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety has concluded there is no evidence linking HPV vaccination to ovarian insufficiency.

Deutsche WelleHealth & medicine

Claim: The HPV vaccine is dangerous and unproven. A widely shared TikTok video features a man saying: "The problem is that the HPV vaccine can be causing serious adverse reactions." The clip then cuts to an AI-generated news anchor who claims: "An American doctor has raised concerns about giving HPV vaccine to young girls," and falsely asserts that vaccines have never prevented a single case of cervical cancer.

Publisher’s rating: DW Fact check: False The video originates from an unverified Instagram account that regularly publishes AI-generated clips spreading baseless claims without citing credible sources. DW was unable to verify the identity of the so-called doctor featured. Extensive research by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and Germany's Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) contradict these claims. Studies involving children and adults have found no severe side effects linked to the HPV vaccine. A 2024 study involving nearly 3.5 million people confirmed that the vaccine significantly reduces HPV infections and precancerous lesions, which can lead to cervical cancer. "There is no connection, based on scientific research, between the HPV vaccine and infertility or reduced ability to conceive," Dr. Mohammad Ahmad Abdullah of Pakistan's Health Services Academy in Islamabad, told DW. Despite broad scientific consensus on the vaccine's safety and effectiveness, some medical professionals have raised concerns about side effects, long-term efficacy, cost, and the rationale for mass immunization. These concerns—often amplified by misinformation—have included fears of autoimmune disorders, infertility, or promoting early sexual activity. However, regulatory bodies such as the European Medicines Agency have found no evidence linking the vaccine to serious neurological conditions.

Deutsche WelleHealth & medicine

Claim: A viral video shows girls fainting after receiving the HPV vaccine. A video with over 330,000 views on X (formerly Twitter) appears to show schoolgirls collapsing after vaccination. It has also been shared across Instagram and Facebook, reaching thousands of users.

Publisher’s rating: DW Fact check: False The footage is unrelated to the HPV campaign. A reverse image search revealed the clip is from last year. DW Fact check traced versions of the videoback to May 2024. Both Pakistani and Indian reported that the incident involved police clashing with protesters over electricity taxes. Tear gas shells affected a nearby school, causing distress among female students.