No, Pfizer did not list hMPV as a 'side effect' of its COVID-19 vaccine

Kate Atkinson January 31, 2025
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There's no proven causal relationship between COVID vaccination and human metapneumovirus. Image by Caroline Brehman/EPA PHOTO

WHAT WAS CLAIMED

Pfizer listed hMPV as a "side effect" of its COVID-19 vaccine.

OUR VERDICT

False. The virus was listed as an "adverse event", not as a proven "side effect".

AAP FACTCHECK - Vaccine safety data has been misinterpreted to falsely claim human metapneumovirus is listed as a "side-effect" of COVID-19 vaccines.

A Pfizer safety surveillance data report listed human metapneumovirus (hMPV) as an "adverse event" reported after vaccination, not as a "side effect" proven to be caused by the jab.

The claim is spreading on social media following reports of a human metapneumovirus (hMPV) outbreak in northern China.

The virus causes a respiratory infection with symptoms that include a cough, fever, runny or blocked nose, and headache.

The claim is in a Facebook post that accuses the media of ramping up "fear porn" about hMPV.