The claim: 80,000 pages of Pfizer data show the vaccine has a 12% efficacy rate, harms fetuses
As the spring saw another surge of coronavirus cases across the country, healthcare officials are urging people to get vaccinated. But some social media posts are spreading false claims that the Pfizer vaccine is both ineffective and dangerous.
“Pfizer data released today. 80,000 pages. Pfizer knew vaccine harmed the fetus in pregnant women, and that the vaccine was not 95% effective,” reads an Instagram post shared May 4. “Pfizer data shows it having a 12% efficacy rate.”
These claims were made two days after more than 80,000 pages of Pfizer COVID data was made public. The data was released as part of an ongoing Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, according to Abigail Capobianco, a spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration. .
But the claim is wrong on multiple fronts.
USA TODAY could not verify whether the claimed 12% efficacy rate was in the 80,000 pages Pfizer released. None of the social media claims have provided documentation showing that figure. But multiple experts told USA TODAY the claims about the vaccine’s low efficacy rate stem from misinterpretations of Pfizer’s 2020 phase three clinical trial.
The trial actually showed an efficacy rate of 95%. Extensive Pfizer research studies on the efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine do not validate the 12% figure in the claim either.
It is also unclear from which document the claim about the vaccine harming fetuses originates. But multiple studies and CDC reports show the Pfizer vaccine is safe for fetuses. .
It’s not clear where the 12% efficacy rate comes from, since both the FDA and Pfizer declined to comment on whether it was in the release. But experts told USA TODAY the incorrect figure is based on a misinterpretation of data in a 2020 Pfizer clinical trial.
A group of scientists and medical researchers sued the FDA under FOIA to force release of hundreds of thousands of documents related to licensing of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. Plaintiff’s attorney Aaron Siri, who is representing the group, explains the fight that led a federal court to order expedited release of documents the agency claimed it would take decades to process. .
U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman, Northern District of Texas, expressed dismay at the FDA’s proposed rate of production. He found the duration requested by the FDA unreasonable, comparing it to the actions of totalitarian nations. As such, the judge on Jan. 6 ordered the FDA to produce at least 55,000 pages per month.
In his ruling, the judge recognized that the release of this data is of paramount public importance and should be one of the FDA’s highest priorities. He quoted James Madison as saying a “popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy” and John F. Kennedy as explaining that a “nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.”
America has some of the greatest institutions of learning the world has ever known. We need the scientific community, both inside and outside the government, to address the serious ongoing issues with the vaccine program, including waningimmunity, variants evading vaccines, and that vaccinated individuals can still transmit the virus.
The FDA’s attempt to close the door and lock out independent scientists from the data necessary to address these issues was irresponsible.
Transparent, Independent Review Is Needed
The failure of the government’s closed-door approach is exemplified by the fact that the FDA did not send a representative to the court hearing because, as the government attorney explained, the FDA’s Covid-19 protocols would not permit it.
Meaning, despite a reported vaccination rate of over 96% across federal health agencies back in November 2021, and the FDA’s claim that the vaccines are “effective,” Covid-19 is still disrupting everyday life. This brings into stark focus the need to open the door and involve independent scientists.
As Pittman recognized, America needs transparency and independent scientists to review this data—not in 75 years, but now.
This article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., the publisher of Bloomberg Law and Bloomberg Tax, or its owners.
Aaron Siri is the managing partner of Siri & Glimstad LLP, and has extensive experience in a wide range of complex civil litigation matters, with a focus on civil rights involving mandated medical procedures, class actions, and high-stakes disputes. Twitter @aaronsirisg.
Your average pinkies who are currently living in the United States and mostly enjoying the social benefits of the US
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The traditional Chinese calendar is NOT "lunar calendar" but "agriculture calendar". You can call the New Year of the Chinese Civilization Circle "Chinese New Year" or "Agriculture calendar New Year" or directly, "Spring Festival". Like, 🐉 is Loong, not dragon,they're different. pic.twitter.com/46e8kbNMFd
Totally correct, those who steal Chinese New Year even don't know what lunar year really is, they just want to wipe out the Chinese influence on their countries' histories and cultures.#Chunjie#ChineseNewYearpic.twitter.com/CBD0V0lPMh
countries like China, Korea, and Vietnam, who mark and celebrate their new year at or around this time. In the spirit of diversity and inclusiveness, the phrase 'Lunar New Year' was used in our annual celebratory event.”
By forcing a change just because it's "Lunar New Year" but not "Chinese New Year", someone is slow to understand: a normal society values morality over identity. What's more, the lunar calendar is used by many countries and is not exclusive to China.#TheGreatTranslationMovementpic.twitter.com/kuZzg2EluT
— The Great Translation Movement 大翻译运动官方推号 (@TGTM_Official) January 20, 2023
1. There are inconsistencies between the Education Ministry's statement and what was communicated by the school involving the SPM workshop at SMK Infant Jesus Convent, says parents of students there.
3. "We seek an assurance from the PTA as well as the school administration that all future planning and communication will be collaborative and transparent, to avoid occasions of discriminatory and divisive practices," added the parents.
5. "Through the explanation given by the school and in line with the statement issued by MOE, the programme run by the school did not ignore nor discriminate."
Norlizah urged all parties not to express their own opinions on social media as it could create disharmony.
PETALING JAYA: Parents of students left out of a controversial SPM workshop at SMK Infant Jesus Convent in Johor Bahru said the education ministry’s statement on the matter is “inconsistent” with the principal’s briefing.
In a statement, the parents said that the parent-teacher association (PTA) meetings never discussed two workshop series, and that no approval was sought for the use of funds for such workshops.
“We consider this a serious breach of trust,” said the parents.
It is understood the statement was also signed by members of the school’s parent-teacher association and the parental support group (KSIB).
Yesterday, the education ministry denied that the school had discriminated against non-Muslim students after claims on social media that the school held a SPM workshop only for Muslim students.
In a statement, the ministry said the workshop was intended for all the students as part of an initiative by the Johor education district office, adding that the workshop was organised with the cooperation of the PTA, KSIB, other parents, as well as private stakeholders.
PETALING JAYA: The education ministry’s decision to shrug off its responsibility to the Johor state education department for a probe into a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) workshop allegedly only for Muslim students is disappointing, rights group Pusat Komas said today.
In a statement, the group said education minister Fadhlina Sidek should make a stand and address the issue of alleged racism and racial discrimination in schools.
“The minister’s decision to leave the issue to the district education office is disappointing and it is akin to shrugging off her responsibility of promoting unity at the school level.
“This behaviour is in contrast to the Malaysia Madani concept – an inclusive Malaysia for all Malaysians regardless of race and religion – promoted by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim,” it said.
Netizens blast Fadhlina’s explanation for allegedly Muslim-only SPM workshop
Be smarter with your cover-up, Twitter users say as they poke holes in ministry’s statement
Updated 3 hours ago · Published on 25 Jan 2023 4:43PM
by Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain
KUALA LUMPUR – Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek is receiving brickbats over her ministry’s response to allegations of discrimination involving an SPM workshop supposedly held exclusively for Muslim students in an elite all-girls school.
Taking to Twitter to voice their dissatisfaction with the ministry’s handling of the issue, many netizens were quick to admonish Fadhlina for issuing a “half-baked” explanation on the matter.
Several users pointed out that if the workshop had excluded non-Muslim students to avoid disrupting Chinese New Year festivities – as claimed by the ministry – the absence of Indian students at the workshop raised further questions.
Commenting on Fadhlina’s Twitter post of the ministry’s statement, user @A_Hxrrxz poured scorn over the “excuse,” saying: “Even if you want to cover (the matter) up, be smarter about it.“(The ministry) is using Chinese New Year as an excuse but did the workshop involve Indian students?” he asked, with fellow user @pengesanpenipu also raising the same doubts over the ministry’s statement. “(The ministry) is using Chinese New Year as an excuse but did the workshop involve Indian students?” he asked, with fellow user @pengesanpenipu also raising the same doubts over the ministry’s statement. “(The ministry) is using Chinese New Year as an excuse but did the workshop involve Indian students?” he asked, with fellow user @pengesanpenipu also raising the same doubts over the ministry’s statement. “(The ministry) is using Chinese New Year as an excuse but did the workshop involve Indian students?” he asked, with fellow user @pengesanpenipu also raising the same doubts over the ministry’s statement. .
“What a rubbish statement from you, (Fadhlina). As an education minister, you know damn well that Chinese New Year celebrations were not the reason (for the workshop excluding non-Muslim students).
“Just take responsibility and admit that the workshop was purposely organised for Muslim students. Do better,” he said. .
Similarly, user @AnxiousQuill doubted the ministry’s explanation as it appeared to contain information the school principal had failed to convey to disgruntled parents when the issue was raised in a purported WhatsApp conversation.
“Someone’s not being truthful here,” they alleged.
In a statement today, the ministry explained that the workshop is broken into several sessions to avoid disrupting CNY festivities for students celebrating the occasion.
Concerns have been raised by outraged parents of non-Muslim students in an all-girls public school in Johor after the institution allegedly conducted a workshop for the SPM examination exclusively for its poor-performing Muslim pupils.https://t.co/KQcHwxNY95
All-girls elite school under spotlight after alleged Muslim-only SPM workshop
It covered vital subjects despite earlier claim of focus on Islamic studies, says Twitter user
Updated 1 hour ago · Published on 24 Jan 2023 1:02PM
by Amar Shah Mohsen
KUALA LUMPUR – Concerns have been raised by outraged parents of non-Muslim students in an all-girls public school in Johor after the institution allegedly conducted a workshop for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination exclusively for its poor-performing Muslim pupils.
The matter was highlighted by Twitter user Anne Louis yesterday evening, claiming that the two-day-and-one-night workshop was held at a hotel recently.
According to her, the institution, listed as one of the country’s high-performance schools, had originally claimed that the programme was meant only for Muslim students as it would be focusing on Islamic studies.
However, she said, it was later discovered that the workshop was a comprehensive one covering several critical subjects, including chemistry and additional mathematics, triggering the ire of non-Muslim parents and students.
When contacted, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the Johor Education Department was currently looking into the matter and would respond with a statement soon.
When disgruntled parents sought explanation on the school PIBG chatgroup, school Principal promptly shut down the convo. Admin-only posts & vanishing mode on.
The Half Moon Bay mass shooting, manhunt, and arrest all unfolded in just over two hours today. I put together a timeline here: https://t.co/QPcpsblyiT
