Scientists dismiss rumors that COVID-19 mRNA vaccine causes cancer

A German study is being distorted on social media, with many people spreading false information that the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine causes cancer and 'VAIDS' syndrome - something the authors of the study have denied.

Misinformation about the research results has left many social media users confused - Photo: AAP

Recently, social media has been abuzz with news that a study in Germany found that the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine causes serious genetic changes, leading to cancer and a syndrome called "VAIDS".

According to posts on Facebook and social media X, an article from The People's Voice cited research and made claims that mRNA vaccines can "reprogram human DNA," causing "dangerous inflammatory reactions" and leading to cancer and AIDS.

However, this is a complete distortion of the research content. Experts and the author of the study have spoken out to deny this false information, according to the verification information of the Australian news agency AAP.

The study, published in March 2025 by scientists from the University of Cologne and the University Hospital of Cologne (Germany), aimed to find out whether mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 have a lasting impact on “immune memory” – the ability of the immune system to recognize and respond to the virus in the future.

Research results show that immune cells, especially macrophages, respond more strongly after vaccination.

This response is thought to be due to epigenetic changes - changes in the way genes are expressed without changing the DNA sequence.

The two lead authors of the study - Dr. Alexander Simonis and Professor Jan Rybniker - confirmed that the observed changes are completely normal immune responses, which can fade over time and are not related to cancer or any immunodeficiency syndrome.

“Suggestions that the study shows immunosuppression or a link to cancer are completely unfounded and contradict our conclusions,” Dr Simonis stressed.

He also added that epigenetics is an essential and normal part of gene activity, not something dangerous or pathological. Although it is indeed linked to some diseases, epigenetics is a natural biological mechanism of the body.

Additionally, experts note that the term "VAIDS," which stands for "Vaccine-Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome," is a term that has no scientific basis.

Since 2022, Reuters has confirmed that this is just a fake term, falsely spread to create panic by some anti-vaccination groups on social media. This term does not appear in any medical literature, and is not recognized by health organizations.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/gioi-khoa-hoc-bac-bo-tin-don-vac-xin-covid-19-mrna-gay-ung-thu-20250516154211253.htm