False claims that COVID-19 vaccines can lead to autoimmune disease

A former news host claims that she developed an autoimmune condition after being vaccinated for COVID-19. She says that her doctor confirmed the connection between the vaccine and autoimmune conditions, and that others have experienced similar issues after vaccination. This news has garnered significant attention on X (formerly Twitter), with numerous high-profile accounts sharing her story. In response, other vaccine opponents posted cherry-picked data from research studies that they claim support the link between COVID-19 vaccines and autoimmune conditions.

Risk level: Medium

Recommendation: The claims above show increasing skepticism of mRNA technology and build on previous debunked claims that vaccines can “overwhelm” a person’s immune system. There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause autoimmune diseases; these false claims may also appear as patient concerns about the number of COVID-19 vaccines they are recommended; whether it’s safe to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same time; and general confusion over what it means to be immunocompromised.