Question

Every single vaccine causes harm, according to Dr. Paul Thomas.

Answer 1

The claim that "every single vaccine causes harm" is false. This claim comes from a clip of Dr. Paul Thomas being interviewed by Dr. Sherri Tenpenny which was posted by the Instagram account @abrehenderson, which seems to be a Christian Instagram account that uploads religion related clips and more. The clip does not show Dr. Paul Thomas explicitly saying this claim, but Dr. Sherri Tenpenny does, and he nods in agreement. A quick look online shows that Dr. Paul Thomas is a controversial pediatrician whose medical license was suspended in 2020 by the Oregon Medical Board after violating standard medical practices related to vaccines (Wilamette Week). He is also an author of many books which support antivaccine movements. Many outside sources such as the American Academy of Pediatrics have agreed that his work may be scientifically unsound. Dr. Sherri Tenpenny is also an anti-vaccination activist who also had her medical license suspended in 2023, but recently had it reinstated last year. Finding better coverage online, major health organizations including CDC, World Health Organization, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services all agree that vaccines are not harmful, and that severe reactions are very very rare. Yes, side effects are possible, but they are often temporary, like a mild fever or soreness. There are no verified sources online that support the idea that "all vaccines cause harm." Going back to the original claim, it is an Instagram video, a platform which is not always known for posting content that is scientifically correct. The statement made by both doctors is not based on data but personal beliefs as it seems. In conclusion, the claim that "every single vaccine causes harm" is not true.

Prominent Anti-Vaccine Pediatrician Dr. Paul Thomas Has License Suspended by the Oregon Medical Board

The Oregon Medical Board suspends the medical license of antivax pediatrician Dr. Paul Thomas | Science-Based Medicine

A doctor whose views on COVID-19 vaccinations drew complaints has her medical license reinstated | AP News

Safety Information by Vaccine | Vaccine Safety | CDC

Vaccine Safety | HHS.gov

Vaccines: The Myths and the Facts | AAAAI

Comments

You did a really nice job compiling multiple legitimate sources to back up your fact-check.

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You did a great job tracking the origin of the claim and going into the credibility of both individuals in the video. It might be helpful to explain what types of evidence would be needed to support the claim scientifically, just to show how far off the original statement is from current research standards. Also, great use of reliable health sources to debunk the misinformation clearly.

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I really enjoyed reading this fact check. You delve into the shortcomings of the origins of the claim and back it with reputable sources of your own. This shows the importance of using reputable sources to fact check claims because there is a lot of misinformation in social media.

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You did a solid job tracing the origins of the claim and showing how neither Dr. Tenpenny nor Dr. Thomas provided actual data. That said, your argument could be even stronger if you dug into why these two doctors might convince people despite their loss of medical credibility. For example, Paul Thomas presents cherry-picked data from his patient records that seem to show lower health issues among unvaccinated children, but multiple experts have pointed out these flaws (e.g., small sample sizes, no controls, publication in non-peer-reviewed venues). Adding that kind of analysis would help explain not just that the claim is false, but how bad data gets passed off as truth. That insight would help people better resist future misinformation, too.

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I really like this factcheck. You did a great job first looking at the original source, and then following it up with your explanation and evidence to why the claim is false. I also like how you used sources like the CDC and HHS because they are government organizations which shows that the information that you have found is true. I think going back to the original claim at the end is a great way to end your factcheck.

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I really appreciated your thoroughness throughout this answer. It is important to note that the background of the doctor is not the best and they have an unethical history which automatically raises questions about any claim they may make.$

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I agree with your response! I liked the multiple sources you found to back up the claim that it is false. And all the sources were credible. I liked how you included the timeline of when the Doctor's license is suspended. Since it shows when they are no longer a reliable source of knowledge. Furthermore, I liked that how you dug deeper into the Instagram account and found that the account was a Christian account. And therefore bias, and not reliable source of information.

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You did an amazing job breaking down the misinformation and backing up your points with credible sources. It's important to point out that major health organizations like the CDC and WHO confirm what vaccines are safe. This just goes to show how social media can spread false claims rapidly.

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I completely agree! I like how you took the time to explain each of your points and apply knowledge from the sources you found to help you do so!

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I like how you brought in reputable sources from all over to assess the claim and refute it. Additionally you supported your answer by contextualizing the people making the original claim REALLY well. Talking about their credibility, or lack there of, paints the picture of the type of person we’re dealing with when it comes to these claims.

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Great job figuring out the source. People often try to use people's credentials to make up false information because they are emotional. Instagram reels are not the greatest news source...

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I agree with your statement. This claim seems to be false, and you do a great job a providing evidence to support your claim. The multiple sources you provided not only support your statement of the claim but also come from a reliable source with trustworthy references. I like how you used multiple sources to back up this claim being false. I liked how you pointed out the doctor's credibility by talking about the doctor's license. I think you did a great job fact-checking this claim, as you dove deeper into the claims' Instagram and found out if they were credible or not.

Answer 2

Original:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZroWeS_VmM4

This claim has been proven false through the extensive scientific research. This claim during this video is absolutely false, as it has been out for a year and has little evidence proving the claim against vaccines. On the other hand as well their are an extensive amount of evidence in support of vaccines and the many health benefits they have for people throughout their life. There are even pages citing against the evidence presented from this claim. He claims not to just be anti a certain vaccine but everything in general which contradicts the many diseases vaccines have helped almost eliminate during their time. Vaccines especially help children who absorb many germs become much healthier and live longer lives

Overall vaccines are good for you and people should not spread false rumors about them not being beneficial. There are countless of sources in support of vaccines and claims like this are just false. 

Sources:

https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/why-we-will-always-need-vaccinations?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12319817265&gbraid=0AAAAADibICMnCusfZSb0vMDisljoz--l6&gclid=CjwKCAjwravBBhBjEiwAIr30VEXiCaMwl_1UDuAJDY-O7z5AF4gMCVYCJJSlhrqkyygkEgiTJ1iu7hoCmx0QAvD_BwE

https://www.factcheck.org/2021/01/viral-video-makes-false-and-unsupported-claims-about-vaccines/

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-children/reasons/index.html

Comments

This is such a great response, and it is obvious that you dug deep into this topic to prove that this claim was false. The sources you included are very important and useful to read if someone is questioning whether this claim is true or not. I agree that this claim is false and rather opinionated as well.

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I think this fact check was well done. You do a great job of finding other sources to support your reasoning and prove that vaccines are not only safe, but absolutely necessary to keep our society functioning as a whole. Without vaccines, we would have a very different world than we do today, and COVID-19 especially would still be circulating and killing our elders and medically ill individuals.

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I liked and agree with your response. I like how you did further research on why the claim is false, and not just found the claim to be false. It really strengthens the argument that it is false and educates us on the topic of vaccines. I think education on topics is a big part of not falling for false claims. Stating the evidence that you found to support the claim to be false would strengthen the argument. And not just stating that the source found evidence of it to be false, would strengthen it a lot! Overall, good job!

Answer 3

https://www.nfid.org/immunization/10-reasons-to-get-vaccinated/ This claim that "every single vaccine causes harm" is absolutely un-true, and science and medical research has proven this time and time again. Yes, there is a possibility of any vaccine causing side effects, but harm is a very different story. We all were given vaccines as children to prevent life-threatening diseases, and we as a society are encouraged to continue to get vaccinated throughout our lives. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, "when you skip vaccinies, you are vulnerable to illnesses such as the flu, measles, and HPV and helatitis B- both leading causes of cancer. Doctors do not give vaccines to scare or harm us, but rather to help us live our healthiest and best lives. This doctor is claiming that every vaccine is bad, but every other medical source contradicts this  claim time and time again.

Comments

You did a good job clearly stating that the claim that all vaccines causing harm is false. You used a trusted source to back up your claim. You also explained that wile vaccines readers that vaccines protect us from serious diseases and that doctors give them to keep us healthy, not to hurt us. It also made a strong point that most medical experts agree vaccines are safe and helpful.

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The post makes a strong point that vaccines are safe and important for preventing serious diseases. While side effects can happen, research shows vaccines do much more good than harm. The idea that all vaccines cause harm is false and not backed by science. Why do you think some people still believe these false claims despite medical evidence?

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Your comment is very clear and easy to understand. You use credible sources that allow for understanding of if the claim was true or not. It is really important to explain why vaccines are important and it was very well explained by your comment. It also backs up the idea that most authorities that study our bodies believe in these vaccines

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This comment makes a very strong point. Not only did you provide reliable evidence that not every vaccine is harmful; you used multiple articles and even used the National foundations information and I think that is the most reliable source you can get. Good comment!

Answer 4

The claim that every single vaccine causes harm, according to Dr. Paul Thomas, is false. Although he strongly advocates against some vaccines, he does not believe that every one causes harm. Instead, he preaches that parents should make decisions based on the research they choose to conduct and personalize it based on their child's needs. I pulled this directly from a message Paul had written to representatives and legislatures, “My philosophy regarding the vaccination of children is detailed in the book and clearly shows that I am a strong advocate for children being vaccinated. However, I have found that it must be done only after the parents are fully informed about the vaccines, their risks and a full assessment of the child, the family and the environment to which the child will be exposed.” He clearly outlines that he believes children should be vaccinated, but that parents shouldn't just do it because they are told to. Making this claim false.

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2019R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/167220

Comments

I like how you explain where you got your source directly from. I think its a very strong source and helps explain the truthfulness of the original claim

Answer 5

This claim is false, there is no clear evidence that every single vaccine causes harm. This claim was taken from an instagram reel of a video of Dr. Paul Thomas being interviewed where he says this false claim. Based on the evidence that I have gathered from the world heath organization, this claim cannot be true. Vaccines are made to help the world and keep us safe, not hurt us. There are many tests that go along with producing these that make it safe for us.

https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1

Answer 6

The claim that every single vaccine causes harm is false. Instagram is not the most credible website for scientific facts. Most of the scientific facts on Instagram are scientifically incorrect or misleading. Furthermore, Paul Thomas got his medical license suspended due to unprofessional conduct, such as making false or misleading statements regarding the efficacy of treatments, and repeated gross negligence in the practice of medicine. The source of information is from the Washington Medical Commission, so it is highly credible. Additionally, Dr. Sherri Tenpenny had about 350 complaints filed with the medical board for making false and deceptive medical statements. And she refused to comply with the investigators. This led to her suspended license in August 2023. The source was from apnews, however, the findings were backed up by License Ohio government.

Source:

https://wmc.wa.gov/news/out-state-md-indefinitely-suspended

https://apnews.com/article/ohio-doctor-covid-vaccinations-sherri-tenpenny-a4bac67833e9ef178d740e877f830fcb

https://elicense.ohio.gov/oh_verifylicensedetails?pid=a0Rt000000084mlEAA

Comments

I like who you did research on the Dr. himself to add to your fact check. It really puts into perspective how it is so important to know where your information is coming from.

Answer 7

The claim that every single vaccine causes harm is false. While researching Dr. Paul Thomas, I came across an article stating that Dr. Thomas had his license suspended by the Oregon Medical Board. The article states, "State's medical board found evidence he had violated standard medical practices related to vaccines" (Willamette Week). If Dr. Thomas continued to practice, it would put his patients in danger. With all anti-vaccine individuals emerging with their opinions, we need to look at facts to get the correct answer backed by data. When looking at websites, I came across the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, whose articles give 10 reasons to get vaccinated. Some of these include that vaccines keep you healthy, they are important for your overall health, can mean the difference between life and death, and more. This means that vaccines are great for your overall health, causing good and not harm.

https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2020/12/05/prominent-anti-vaccine-pediatrician-dr-paul-thomas-has-license-suspended-by-the-oregon-medical-board/

https://www.nfid.org/immunization/10-reasons-to-get-vaccinated/

Answer 8

This claim is extremely false and possibly a harmful mislead of information. It can deinfluence people to get the vaccines that they need to remain healthy which can lead to them being at higher risk for certain viruses and infections. According to the CDC article below people tend to associate the side effects of vaccines withe their overall performance. Making it difficult for them to rationalize the effect of the vaccine in the long run. Things like soreness, nausea and others are common among certain vaccines but this can be misleading to those who are not as informed. Although it is possible that some vaccines can be harmful for specific people, stating that "every single one" is damaging is the false part of the claim.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/basics/possible-side-effects.html