Fact Check: Johnson & Johnson Lead Scientist Confesses. J&J COVID-19 Vaccine Was 'Not Safe and Effective, Reveals "Lack of Research" From Rushing to Release Vaccine: "People Wanted It, We Gave It to Them"...

Fact Check: Johnson & Johnson Lead Scientist Confesses COVID-19 Vaccine Was 'Not Safe and Effective'

What We Know

Recent claims have surfaced alleging that a lead scientist at Johnson & Johnson, Joshua Rys, confessed on hidden camera that the company's COVID-19 vaccine was "not safe and effective" and that there was a "lack of research" due to the rushed development process. The claim suggests that Rys admitted, "People wanted it, we gave it to them," implying that the vaccine was released without adequate testing (source-1, source-2).

The video in question was released by James O'Keefe's O'Keefe Media Group, which is known for producing controversial undercover footage. In the video, Rys reportedly discusses the accelerated development of the vaccine and expresses concerns about the testing timeline (source-6).

Analysis

The claims made by Rys, as presented in the video, have been met with skepticism and scrutiny. While it is true that the COVID-19 vaccines, including Johnson & Johnson's, were developed under an expedited timeline due to the global pandemic, this does not inherently mean they were unsafe. Regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and CDC, conducted thorough evaluations of the vaccine's safety and efficacy before granting Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) (source-1).

The assertion that the vaccines were released without adequate research contradicts the extensive clinical trials that were conducted, which involved tens of thousands of participants. These trials were designed to assess both safety and efficacy, and the data collected has been published in peer-reviewed journals (source-1). Furthermore, the claims of widespread adverse effects, such as blood clots, while documented, were found to be rare compared to the benefits of vaccination in preventing severe illness and death from COVID-19 (source-1).

The source of the claims, O'Keefe Media Group, is known for its controversial methods and has been criticized for selectively editing footage to misrepresent statements. This raises concerns about the reliability of the information presented (source-2).

Conclusion

The claim that Johnson & Johnson's lead scientist confessed the COVID-19 vaccine was "not safe and effective" is misleading and lacks context. While the accelerated development of the vaccine is acknowledged, it does not equate to a lack of safety or efficacy. The vaccines underwent rigorous testing and regulatory review, and the benefits have been shown to outweigh the risks. Therefore, the claim is deemed False.

Sources

1. Fact Check: Did J&J Lead Scientist Admit Vaccine Isn’t Safe?
2. J&J scientist explains that the company knew the shot was ...
3. Johnson & Johnson Lead Scientist Confesses J&J COVID-19 ...
4. BREAKING: Johnson & Johnson Lead Scientist Confesses J&J ...
5. J&J Scientist: Covid Shot Not "Safe and Effective ...
6. Johnson & Johnson Lead Scientist Confesses J&J COVID-19 ...