Cardiologist and author Peter A. McCullough, MD, has once again caught the attention of AFP, a fact-checking organization with offices all over the world, for speaking out about COVID-19 vaccines.
Video footage of McCullough is being used on social media to promote a fake COVID-19 recall, according to a new analysis from AFP. The footage comes from a June 2022 testimony McCullough gave to the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. In the clip, he testifies that a “global recall of all vaccines” is now in place, adding that 40,000 vaccine-related deaths have already been reported around the world.
The post was “liked” by thousands of users on Instagram, but AFP’s fact-checking team has said that these claims are “inaccurate.” They reached out to numerous government agencies, including some from outside of the United States, to reach this conclusion.
“As of July 26, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration had not listed any recalls for the four COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the U.S.,” according to AFP. Abby Capobianco, an FDA spokesperson, is even quoted in the article confirming this to be the case.
Representatives from the CDC, European Medicines Agency and World Health Organization also communicated to AFP that they did not know of any global efforts to recall vaccines.
Small batches of some vaccines have been recalled in the last two years, AFP’s team added, due to specific issues. But no vaccines have been recalled altogether, and vaccination is still being encouraged all over the world.
Cardiologist Peter McCullough no stranger to the COVID-related controversy
McCullough has gained significant popularity since the beginning of the pandemic, appearing on Fox News and other media outlets as a guest to share his opinions about the COVID-19 pandemic. He promoted alternative COVID-19 treatments such as hydroxychloroquine, which was proven in studies to not be beneficial, for example, and has repeatedly spoken out against the U.S. government’s efforts to develop and distribute vaccines.
During a December 2021 interview with Joe Rogan on the Joe Rogan Podcast, McCullough claimed the United States purposefully held back early COVID-19 therapies to “promote fear, suffering, isolation, hospitalization and death.” He is also now the co-author of a book on this topic.
In November 2021, McCullough urged Malaysia to end its vaccination program. AFP evaluated these statements as well, describing his claims as "misleading."
More information on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines have been linked to rare instances of myocarditis, especially among young men, and one vaccine was linked to a slight increase in the risk of blood clots. However, researchers have consistently emphasized that the benefits of vaccination, including any booster shots, far outweigh the risks.
Read more about this topic here, here and here.
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Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.