A Tiktok video citing a news report broadcast on Maasranga TV, has warned users from taking the Sinopharm vaccine. The video, which carried a Bangla text that read, “Do not take China Vaccine”, has over 40K likes, and 4437 times externally shared so far.
In the video, the news presenter is heard saying that research by the Sheikh Hasina Burn Institute found that among people who have taken the Sinopharm vaccine, there is less chance of decreased antibody compared to the other vaccines. The caption in this content said, “Now what will happen?” And the specific clip did not complete the statement if the vaccine is good for people or not.
The news was broadcast on September 4 this year.
Fact Check/ Verification
When Newschecker reached out to researcher Dr Ashraful Hoque, Assistant Professor of the Institute said, “The way this headline has been marked in this video, people will think that the Sinopharm vaccine does not work as Moderna and Pfizer. But, our preliminary research (3 months) shows that antibodies will exist longer in the body of an individual inoculated with Sinopharm when compared to people vaccinated with other vaccines. which is a positive finding.”
“The antibody is sustaining in their body so these people might not need a booster dose later. Under the vaccine classification, Sinopharm is an inactive vaccine,” added Dr Ashraful Hoque.
Specifying statements regarding any vaccine at this moment may create vaccine hesitancy, added Dr Ashraful Hoque.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the approach of inactivated vaccines uses technology that’s been proven to work in people – this is the way the flu and polio vaccines are made – and vaccines can be manufactured on a reasonable scale.
Conclusion
The video warning Sinopharm recipients of low antibody count on their system in comparison to recipients of other vaccines is factually incorrect and thus misleading.
Result: Misleading
Our Sources:
Interview (Primary Resource): Dr Ashraful Hoque, Assistant Professor, Sheikh Hasina National Institute Of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Full-report: https://www.facebook.com/MaasrangaTelevision/videos/390033672572863
WHO: https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-race-for-a-covid-19-vaccine-explained
Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@sbi.tonmoy/video/7005124129754058010
Approved vaccines in Bangladesh: https://covid19.trackvaccines.org/country/bangladesh/
COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard for Bangladesh: http://103.247.238.92/webportal/pages/covid19-vaccination-update.php
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