Vaccines developed by Bulos on COVID-19: Neither contain a Bluetooth code nor Bill Gates proposed their incorporation into food.
In the wake of the five-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation surrounding vaccine safety has resurfaced online. Here, we debunk some of the recent false claims related to vaccines that have emerged on social media.
No Bluetooth Code in COVID-19 Vaccines
Rumors are circulating on social media platforms that vaccines have implanted a microchip in recipients associated with a Bluetooth code. A widely shared message claims that individuals who have received both doses of the vaccine have their "personalized Bluetooth code." This post includes a video featuring a man making claims about vacciinated people emitting Bluetooth signals. However, this claim is false.
Experts confirm that COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any Bluetooth code or microchip. José Antonio Forcada, president of the National Association of Nursing and Vaccines, explains that generating a Bluetooth code without a device inside the person emitting a signal is impossible. Moreover, he states that it is not feasible to remove five different microchips from a single batch of vaccine doses.
The video spreading this misinformation is an excerpt from an interview with David Icke, a well-known conspiracy theorist in England. In 2020, Facebook removed Icke's account for posting "false health information that could cause physical harm." The British public broadcaster BBC also labeled other instances of misinformation posted on his social media.
In 2021, similar claims that vaccinated people emit Bluetooth signals were debunked by Reuters. The components of COVID-19 vaccines and safety information can be found on the European Medicines Agency's website.
No Call for Vaccines in Food by Bill Gates
Another viral claim on social media is an image purporting to be a post from Microsoft founder Bill Gates, suggesting placing vaccines in food to "solve the problem of doubts." This falsely attributed message has been shared over 9,000 times since May 26.
However, Bill Gates did not author this message. The claim has been circulating on social media for at least two years, and it has been debunked by Reuters, France-Press (AFP), and Associated Press. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has also clarified that the information is false.
No Evidence of German Prosecutors' Involvement
Messages on our WhatsApp channel have asked about a claim that "German prosecutors warn Bill Gates that he will go to jail" following the discovery of carcinogenic DNA in COVID-19 vaccines. This headline has also been shared on an X post from May 21 and an English-language website that promotes misinformation.
No evidence supports this claim. A search using keywords such as "Bill Gates," "prosecutors," and "Germany" does not show any records in German institutions or media that substantiate this claim. An advanced search on the official website of the German Federal Prosecutor's Office does not show any communiqué about Bill Gates.
The origin of these messages can be traced back to a recurring misinformation website in the United States. It is essential to verify information from reliable sources to avoid spreading false claims.
During the pandemic, conspiracy theories about the origin of the disease, treatments, and vaccine effectiveness have been debunked on our website. In February of this year, a false claim that the European Medicines Agency had never authorized COVID-19 vaccines was circulating. As always, we encourage readers to consult trusted sources for accurate information about public health matters.
The misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines claiming they contain a Bluetooth code or microchip is false, as confirmed by experts like José Antonio Forcada, president of the National Association of Nursing and Vaccines. Additionally, claims regarding Bill Gates suggesting placing vaccines in food are also false, with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation debunking such misinformation. It's crucial to verify information from reliable sources to avoid spreading false claims.
