Medical experts have pointed out that associating a death with the
vaccine simply because it occurred after the injection is a known form of data misinterpretation.
Misinterpreted data from reporting systems:
McCullough has suggested that reports to vaccine adverse event reporting systems (such as VAERS in the US) prove a link between vaccines and death. However, these systems are designed to collect all reports, regardless of whether a causal relationship has been established. Science Feedback points out that "a VAERS report 'cannot be interpreted as evidence of a causal association between a vaccine and an adverse event'".
False claims about myocarditis: While mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been associated with a very rare and small risk of heart inflammation (myocarditis) in young males, medical experts say the condition is far more likely and severe after a COVID-19 infection than after vaccination. McCullough's claims that the vaccines caused a rise in sudden cardiac deaths from myocarditis have been discredited, with multiple studies showing no association.
S
cientific and medical consensus
McCullough's assertions are in direct opposition to the vast body of evidence compiled by global health authorities and researchers.
For years, McCullough has been widely cited as a source of COVID-19 misinformation.
Media and medical backlash: In 2021, when McCullough testified before the Texas Senate,
other medical experts and fact-checkers quickly condemned and debunked his statements as false and misleading.
Conflict of interest:
Some of McCullough's claims have been linked to a conflict of interest, particularly when he promoted unproven "detox" products sold by a company where he was the chief scientific officer.
Published papers retracted: One paper that McCullough co-authored was later retracted by its publisher for reasons including misleading content
https://www.factcheck.org/person/peter-mccullough/
During the COVID-19 pandemic, former cardiologist Dr. Peter McCullough promoted several "cures" and treatments for COVID-19 that have been thoroughly debunked by the wider medical and scientific community. His claims led to the revocation of his board certifications by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) in January 2025.
The most prominent debunked treatments and associated claims include:
Unproven COVID-19 treatments
Ivermectin: McCullough promoted the use of ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug, as part of an early treatment protocol for COVID-19.
Debunked: Multiple large-scale,
randomized controlled trials (RCTs), such as the TOGETHER and ACTIV-6 trials, found no benefit from ivermectin in reducing hospitalizations or symptoms for COVID-19 patients.
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ):
McCullough advocated for HCQ, an antimalarial drug, as an early outpatient treatment.
Debunked:
Large RCTs, including the RECOVERY trial, showed that HCQ was ineffective against COVID-19 and could even increase mortality in hospitalized patients. Fact-checkers noted McCullough's selective use of data and disregard for regulatory warnings about cardiac risks.
"Detox" protocols:
McCullough has promoted supplements, including nattokinase, bromelain, and turmeric, as a way to "detox" from the supposed harms of COVID-19 vaccines.
Debunked: The idea that one needs to "detox" from the vaccine is scientifically baseless. The spike protein produced by the vaccine is transient and non-toxic, and
no scientific evidence shows that these supplements safely remove it from the body.
Misleading claims about COVID-19 vaccines
Vaccines are more dangerous than COVID-19, especially for youth: McCullough asserted that teens faced a higher risk of myocarditis (heart inflammation) from vaccines than from COVID-19 itself.
Debunked:
CDC data and peer-reviewed studies have consistently shown that the risk of myocarditis from COVID-19 infection is far higher than the rare, mostly mild cases associated with vaccination. The benefits of vaccination in preventing severe disease greatly outweigh the risks.
Vaccines cause a toxic "spike protein" buildup:
He promoted the claim that vaccine-induced spike proteins were toxic and caused clots and cancer.
Debunked: Medical experts confirm that spike protein levels from vaccination are transient and non-toxic.
There is no evidence of a causal link between vaccine-induced spike proteins and excess mortality or "turbo cancers".
Vaccine-related deaths:
McCullough has falsely claimed that millions of people were killed by COVID-19 vaccines, misinterpreting data from vaccine adverse event reporting systems (like VAERS).
Debunked:
These reports do not prove a causal link between vaccines and death. Fact-checking organizations have pointed out that COVID-19 vaccines have saved millions of lives globally. Furthermore,
independent analyses have debunked his co-authored studies linking vaccines to deaths, citing flawed methodology.
Conspiracy theories
Suppression of early treatments:
McCullough alleged that authorities intentionally suppressed HCQ and ivermectin to promote fear and push mass vaccination.
Debunked: The medical community and regulatory agencies like the FDA stopped recommending these drugs
because robust clinical trials proved they were ineffective and posed potential risks.
Pandemic was planned:
On media appearances, he promoted conspiracy theories that the pandemic was planned by global health organizations to push vaccinations.
Debunked: No credible evidence supports the existence of a coordinated conspiracy to create the pandemic or suppress treatments.
Professional consequences
Due to his persistent promotion of misinformation, McCullough has faced significant repercussions:
Certification revoked: In January 2025, the
ABIM revoked his board certifications in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.
Lawsuit by former employer:
In 2021, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center sued him for
misrepresenting his affiliation with them to promote his views after his employment had ended.
Retraction of a study:
A 2023 review he co-authored that claimed to link vaccines to deaths was retracted due to flaws in its methodolog
Originally Posted by husaberg
Medical experts have pointed out that associating a death with the vaccine simply because it occurred after the injection is a known form of data misinterpretation.
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