Original article (in Serbian) was published on 19/10/2023; Author: Milica Ljubičić
Bill Gates and COVID-19 vaccines seem to be an inexhaustible source of disinformation and conspiracy theories. Claims circulated on networks and obscure portals allege that Gates has received state permission to spray mRNA vaccines from the air, a method experts say is not feasible since the air would dilute the vaccine. The misinformation stems from a disreputable site, “The People’s Voice,” citing a mouse study, which does not connect to Gates.
The Srpski info stab Twitter page shared claims accusing Bill Gates of aerial mRNA vaccine deployment. “Bill Gates has already been given the green light to spray genetically modified mRNA vaccines through the air. This is an open violation of all international conventions on human and civil rights,” wrote the page, along with two screenshots taken from the website “The People’s Voice”, which is otherwise prone to spreading disinformation.
“The People’s Voice” claims in the text that “Bill Gates’ latest venture to vaccinate billions of people with his mRNA vaccine has been given the green light by several governments”. It also states that aerial vaccination will force the entire planet to “receive toxic chemicals directly into the lungs”.
The People’s Voice then mentions a study by scientists from Yale that was conducted on mice, which explored whether the mRNA vaccine could be administered without the use of a needle. Published in mid-August this year, the study found that intranasal delivery (inside the nose) directly to the lungs effectively protected animals against COVID-19.
There is no evidence that this method of vaccination with mRNA vaccine was approved by any government, contrary to the claims made by Srpski info stab.
In The United States, for instance, this type of vaccine against COVID-19 would first have to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) , and in Serbia, it would require authorization from the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, following rigorous testing protocols.
One of the authors of the study, Mark Saltzman, reiterated for Fact Check that the study was done on animals, not on humans and that it is not possible to spray the vaccine into the air and thus vaccinate people.
“Contrary to reports on social media,” Saltzman said, spraying the vaccine in the air to mass vaccinate non-consenting people “would not work in humans and this study did not involve humans. Humans must receive a controlled dose that is administered directly into the nose.”
Angela Sen from the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia told Fact Check the same thing – the vaccine would be diluted by spraying it into the air and therefore forcibly vaccinating people in this way is “extremely unbelievable”.
Mark Saltzman also denied that this study was financed by Bill Gates, which is confirmed by the list of funding sources for the study. Additionally, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also denied the claims speaking for the Associated Press.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is actively involved in vaccine development and their availability worldwide, making Bill Gates a common target for conspiracy theorists. The foundation has contributed funds for various vaccine initiatives, including the development of an intranasal vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus as well as for the development of a new type of vaccine against smallpox. Last year, the foundation was among the participants in the workshop on COVID-19 vaccines in the form of nasal sprays. None of this, however, proves that Gates is planning to forcibly vaccinate people with vaccines from the air.
In addition to incorrect claims, “The People’s Voice”, posted a photo on its platform to depict the “spraying of vaccines from the air.” This image features two individuals in protective gear and masks on an airplane. The identical photo is also included in the post by Srpski info stab.
However, the photo is unrelated to any aerial dusting. The photo was published by the United Nations in August 2021 and was taken during the delivery of 30,000 COVID-19 vaccines to South Sudan.
“The People’s Voice” is an American website that was founded in 2014, and was previously called “News Punch”. In the “about us” section, they state that they cover topics “mainstream media shy away from”. They note that they are focused on a conservative audience that criticizes the mainstream media for being too left-leaning. This site puts a mark at the beginning of each news item that it is fact-checked, however, despite this, it tends to spread disinformation and conspiracy theories.
For example, the website fabricated a statement by Klaus Schwab’s daughter, Nicole, with which she allegedly announced the climate-locking of people. They also claimed that the Clinton Foundation was planning to forcibly vaccinate children in America, although there is no evidence for this. They also claimed that one study showed that ventilators killed almost all COVID-19 patients, which turned out to be a misinterpretation.
Scientists in the world are otherwise examining whether the vaccine against COVID-19 could be given in different and simpler ways, i.e. without the use of a needle. According to data from the World Health Organization, 16 vaccines that would be administered intranasally (through the nose) are currently being tested. Earlier this year, India approved the use of the Inovak vaccine, which is given in the form of nasal drops. Last year, China approved Cansino Biologics’ aerosol vaccine against COVID-19, which is inhaled orally. Both of these vaccines are vector rather than mRNA vaccines and are given as booster doses. The University of Oxford also conducted a study of AstraZeneca’s vaccine (also a vector vaccine) in nasal spray, but it proved to be less effective, which is why the scientists concluded that further tests are needed.