Last Updated on February 20, 2024 by Aditi Gangal
Quick Take
A social media post has used a photo of U.S. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce to claim that the COVID-19 vaccine causes heart failure. We fact-checked and found the claim to be False. Travis Kelce was not highlighting the importance of protecting one’s heart and rejecting clot shots. Moreover, there have been cases of myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination in people, but recorded such cases are fewer. As per the available evidence, the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine outweigh the risks.
The Claim
An Instagram post shows U.S. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce forming a heart shape with his hands. Above the image, the text declares, “Mr. Pfizer is showing you which organ the vaccine shuts off.” The caption accompanying the post emphasizes the importance of protecting one’s heart and rejecting clot shots. Within three weeks, the post garnered over 2,500 likes.
We have attached a screenshot of the post below:
Fact Check
Does the COVID-19 vaccine cause heart failure?
No. There is no direct evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine causes heart failure. There have been rare cases of heart inflammation, like myocarditis and pericarditis, following vaccination. But recorded such cases are fewer where the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine outweigh the risks.
Our research shows that Travis Kelce did not highlight the importance of protecting one’s heart and rejecting clot shots. Kelce starred in a commercial during the fall, as part of a paid partnership with Pfizer, advocating for the flu and COVID-19 vaccine shots. The commercial sparked controversy among vaccine skeptics, including sidelined New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who dubbed Kelce as Mr. Pfizer and proposed a debate regarding the vaccine’s efficacy.
THIP MEDIA has previously demonstrated that COVID-19 vaccines do not significantly increase the risk of heart conditions for everyone. Myocarditis is a rare but possible side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, this should not prevent people from getting vaccinated. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC website), the World Health Organization (WHO website) and the American Heart Association (AHA website) state that the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine outweigh the risks.
In case of any questions or uncertainties, it is crucial to seek guidance from an experienced doctor.
The Instagram post featured a snapshot of Kelce taken during the Chiefs’ Jan. 21 playoff showdown with the Buffalo Bills. He later clarified to Entertainment Tonight that he felt compelled to spread the love to the Bills fans present at the game.
This isn’t the first time we have encountered inconsistent claims related to Pfizer. Previously, we debunked a claim that Pfizer increased revenues from blood clot medicines. In another fact check, we refuted a claim that Pfizer documents revealed dangers associated with the Covid vaccine.
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