Reports about the outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China have brought back conspiracy theories surrounding COVID-19 on social media. For example, an Instagram reel posted by @haybags73 claims that COVID-19 vaccines contain traces of human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. The video has garnered nearly 10 lakh views and over 22,000 likes on the social media platform in less than 2 weeks.
The video features two segments: one featuring commentary about the substance that binds to the coronavirus surface, followed by a discussion of the vaccine spike protein structure and antibody responses.
The statement reveals that the vaccine contains “HIV fragments” in the spike protein stabilizer.
Spike proteins are structures found on the surface of some viruses, including coronaviruses. These spikes allow the virus to attach to and enter human cells. When the virus is inside the cell, it can begin to replicate and cause disease. In the case of COVID-19, the spike protein is the target of vaccines, teaching our immune system to recognize and fight the virus.
The narrator in the video says, “The shape of the coronavirus spike protein triggers the most protective antibody response before the virus meets our cells.” So, Keith (Referring to Professor Keith Chappell, an Australian virologist who was previously working on a COVID vaccine) The spike protein would have to be made in the lab, locked into exactly the same shape by adding another protein that acts like a clamp, and that protein is a small piece of HIV. It sounds very complicated, doesn’t it? And if that happens, it’s good because each of these red arrows shows HIV in the spike protein.”
The video ends with footage of Dr. Richard M. Fleming, a man previously convicted of health care and mail fraud and known for pushing conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 pandemic He also discusses the alleged HIV components within the COVID spike protein.
What are the facts?
First Check’s investigation revealed that unrelated content was misleadingly added to the video to draw false conclusions. The initial segment came from a documentary about a failed vaccine candidate, while the latter part promoted an unproven theory about the origins of COVID-19 as a bioweapon, unrelated to vaccine development. Was.
Through reverse image analysis and visible BBC watermarks, First Check discovered early footage in the form of a documentary describing efforts by five global teams to develop COVID-19 vaccines, titled “Horizon Special: The Vaccine” and aired in June 2021. The man featured in the clip is Professor Keith Chappell, a molecular virologist and architect of the COVID vaccine being developed by the University of Queensland, Australia. The vaccine was later discontinued after a trial yielded false positive HIV results. The vaccine never progressed beyond initial Phase 1 trials and was never distributed publicly.
The second segment of the reel has no connection to the vaccine discussion of the first segment or the presence of HIV in Covid vaccines.
A reverse image search using visual cues in the video and a simple search on YouTube helped First Check discover that it was part of a presentation given in October 2021 by Dr. Richard M. Fleming, a nuclear scientist himself. And recognizes as preventive. The cardiologist’s conversation was to promote his book, “Is COVID-19 a Bioweapon?: A Scientific and Forensic Investigation.”
However, Dr. Fleming has long been discredited as a serious scientist and has even been banned by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from participating in any drug studies.
Based on this evidence, First Check determines that this viral video misleadingly combines footage to claim that COVID vaccines contain HIV. The first section references a discontinued vaccine that failed Phase 1 trials due to false positive HIV results, while the second promotes unrelated conspiracy claims about the origins of COVID-19.
claim: HIV is part of the composition of COVID-19 vaccines
fact: False. In 2020, an experimental vaccine developed by molecular virologist Professor Keith Chappell included a short HIV protein segment but posed no risk of HIV transmission. The vaccine never advanced beyond initial Phase 1 trials and was never distributed publicly.
(This story was originally published by First Check, and republished by NDTV as part of Shakti Collective)
