Dr. Anthony Fauci is dismissing a claim made by Fox News host Tucker Carlson about COVID-19 vaccines.
During his show on Tuesday night, Carlson suggested the vaccines might not work.
“At some point, no one’s asking this, but everyone should be, what is this about?” he said. “If vaccines work, why are vaccinated people still banned from living normal lives? Honestly, what’s the answer to that? It doesn’t make any sense at all. If the vaccine is effective, there is no reason for people who have received the vaccine to wear masks or avoid physical contact.”
Carlson continued, “So maybe it doesn’t work and they’re simply not telling you that. Well, you’d hate to think that, especially if you’ve gotten two shots, but what’s the other potential explanation? We can’t think of one.”
Fauci rejected Carlson’s argument during his appearance on CNN on Wednesday.
“That’s just a typical crazy conspiracy theory. Why would we not tell people if it doesn’t work? Look at the data,” Fauci said.
He added, “The data are overwhelming in the three vaccines that have been approved for use in an emergency use authorization, the J&J, Pfizer, and Moderna, you had 30,000, 44,000, and 40,000 people in the clinical trial with an overwhelming signal of efficacy.”
Check out his comments below:
Dr. Anthony Fauci responds to Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, who falsely suggested to his 3.4 million viewers that COVID vaccines don’t work:
— The Recount (@therecount) April 14, 2021
“That’s just a typical crazy conspiracy theory … Look at the data, the data are overwhelming." pic.twitter.com/wAANZeSBum
Discussing the individuals who reportedly developed blood clots after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Carlson also asked, “It is possible, in fact, that this vaccine is more dangerous than they’re indicating it is.”
Carlson said the “second essential question” is: “Is the vaccine effective, does it work?”
He went on, “Well, of course it works and that’s why they’re giving it to the entire population. That’s why this vaccine rollout is more important than the moonshot, because it works. The president himself told us that. The funny thing is if you listen carefully, they’re not really saying that anymore.”
Federal health agencies called for a pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after news spread of six individuals developing rare blood clots after receiving it.