A disreputable website has published an article stating that a CDC doctor claimed this year’s flu shot was “disastrous” and may have been responsible for the flu outbreak across the United States.
The website, YourNewsWire.com, makes several claims, including that a CDC doctor called the flu shot disastrous, and implies that 7 out of 8 people who died in Santa Barbara died because of receiving the flu shot. An excerpt of the article can be read below –
A CDC doctor has warned this year’s “disastrous” flu shot may be responsible for the deadly flu epidemic sweeping the country.
“Some of the patients I’ve administered the flu shot to this year have died,” the doctor said, adding “I don’t care who you are, this scares the crap out of me.”
“We have seen people dying across the country of the flu, and one thing nearly all of them have in common is they got the flu shot.”
Scientists were worried this year’s flu season was going to be rough and their fears have been proven well founded. The flu season is off to a record-breaking start, with the CDC reporting widespread flu activity from coast to coast. Many health officials believe that 2018 will ultimately be the worst flu outbreak that we have experienced since 1918.
What’s true?
The 2017/2018 flu season has been particularly bad, especially in both Australia and the United States. It is also true that the corresponding flu shot has been less effective than in previous years. As a result, more people have contracted flu, resulting in more confirmed cases and fatalities.
What’s false?
Despite the claims or implications made in the YourNewsWire.com article, there is absolutely no evidence that the flu shot is causing people to become infected with the flu, or that any fatalities resulting from the flu were the result of the flu shot. This is scaremongering, conspiracy theory nonsense that can actually put people at risk. While the flu shot is no guarantee that you’ll not contract the virus (especially this year) any advice recommending you avoid it or that it is dangerous is particularly irresponsible. The CDC recommends that people get the flu shot and for the vast majority of people it is completely safe.
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The YourNewsWire.com claims that 7 out of the 8 people who died in Santa Barbara over the 2 week period received the flu shot, heavily implying that the flu shot was responsible for the deaths. However the article that was linked to makes no claim that the flu shot was responsible for those deaths, or even suspected.
The YourNewsWire.com quotes an anonymous CDC doctor, yet fails to provide his identity, instead claiming that their anonymous source warned against taking the flu shot. Given YourNewsWire.com’s reputation as a spoof news website (they have previously published stories claiming the Ariana Grande concert attack was a “false flag” event, that Katy Perry was into cannibalism and that the Texas church shooter was an Antifa member) it is somewhat far-fetched that any “CDC whistleblower” would use the spoof news website as an avenue to warn others. In fact the CDC’s official response is that despite it not being as effective as in previous years, it is still wise to get this year’s flu shot.
Please do not circulate this story. YourNewsWire.com is not a reputable source and frequently posts nonsense such as this.