By: Umme Kulsum
April 24 2023
mRNA vaccines are not administered into the food supply or livestock
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Fact-Check
The Verdict False
There are no mRNA vaccines authorized for use in animals in the U.S or in Europe. The vaccine does not pass on to humans via meat consumption.
Claim ID 1389e213
Context:
False information about mRNA vaccinations entering the food supply through vaccinated or genetically modified livestock is being circulated on social media. One such post on Facebook claims the mRNA vaccine would be transmitted to people who consume products derived from vaccinated animals, such as dairy items and meat. The post gathered more than a hundred likes and over three thousand views. Misinformation about mRNA vaccination has been doing rounds since it was first rolled out in 2020.
Fact:
In the United States, there are no government recommendations for mRNA vaccination of animals. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released a statement that said, “there are no current mRNA vaccines licensed for use in beef cattle in the United States. Cattle farmers and ranchers do vaccinate cattle to treat and prevent many diseases, but presently none of these vaccines includes mRNA technology.” According to Nebraska Medicine and the National Library of Medicine, mRNA is broken down quickly by normal body processes and leaves the body; therefore, there is fairly no chance of mRNA vaccine entering the human body after consuming meat from farm animals.
Scientists have been studying mRNA vaccines for animal use for more than a decade. However, mRNA vaccines have not yet been officially used or approved for injecting livestock. This will only happen when there are substantial amounts of studies and many levels of government assessment and permissions for using mRNAs for livestock.
The Facebook post also claims that mRNA vaccines are gene therapy that will alter the DNA. However, mRNA from vaccines does not enter the nucleus or alter DNA. Logically Facts has previously debunked several misinformed claims on mRNA vaccines that are linked to conspiracy theories.
Logically Facts has also debunked a viral claim that stated, “Australia has forced farmers to vaccinate their cattle with mRNA jabs, leading to dozens of cattle deaths.”
Additionally, after completing all clinical trial stages, the world’s first mRNA vaccine was rolled out in 2020 as part of the global effort to end the COVID-19 pandemic. The only mRNA vaccines currently authorised or licenced globally are those for COVID-19.
The Verdict:
There is no evidence to suggest that livestock is being injected with mRNA vaccines. Moreover, mRNA vaccines for viral livestock diseases are still under development. Therefore, we mark this claim as false.