pfizer

Pfizer Inc. is a leading global pharmaceutical corporation headquartered in the United States, known for developing, manufacturing, and distributing vaccines, medicines, and healthcare products. Founded in 1849, Pfizer has contributed to various medical advancements over the decades, covering therapeutic areas like cardiology, oncology, immunology, and vaccines. It gained significant global recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic for developing one of the first mRNA vaccines in collaboration with BioNTech, branded as Comirnaty.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was authorized for emergency use in various countries starting in December 2020, including India and the United States. The vaccine demonstrated high efficacy in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It remains widely used for primary vaccinations and booster doses globally, especially in countries pursuing large-scale vaccination drives.

Despite its proven efficacy, Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine has faced scrutiny and misinformation about its safety, side effects, and impact on public health. Some viral claims suggested severe adverse reactions like Bell’s Palsy, neurological disorders, or other health complications following vaccination. Pfizer, alongside health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has continuously monitored and debunked such claims, emphasizing the vaccine's safety based on comprehensive trials and real-world data.

In January 2021, BOOM fact-checked a claim about a nurse named Khalilah Mitchell in the U.S., who allegedly suffered from Bell’s Palsy after receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The video gained traction on social media, casting doubt on the vaccine’s safety.

BOOM found that there were no records of any nurse named Khalilah Mitchell in the Tennessee Department of Health, indicating that the claim was fabricated.