Fact-check: No, vaccinated women didn't suffer 13 stillbirths over 24 hours at a B.C. hospital
Online rumours claiming that vaccinated pregnant women suffered 13 stillbirths over a period of just 24 hours at a North Vancouver, B.C., hospital are false, health officials have confirmed.
The baseless claim about a sudden spike in stillborn deaths at Lions Gate Hospital has been credited to three unnamed doulas – misspelled as "dulas" by one online publication – and began circulating earlier this month.
An email spreading the falsehood mischaracterizes the COVID-19 vaccine as an "experimental injection," and suggests the media has purposely buried the story.
In fact, news organizations haven't reported on a sudden increase in stillbirths at Lions Gate Hospital because there hasn't been an increase.
Vancouver Coastal Health, which oversees the hospital, categorically denied the rumours on social media Tuesday.
"There is no truth to this claim and the individuals spreading this false information have no affiliation to either Lions Gate Hospital or Vancouver Coastal Health," the health authority wrote.
"There has been no notable change to the incidence of stillbirths in the VCH region throughout the COVID-19 pandemic."
Vancouver Coastal Health also pointed to multiple reports and studies supporting the use of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women, including one published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that reviewed approximately 1.25 million delivery hospitalizations from the beginning of the pandemic to September.
That report, released just last week, supports what B.C. health officials have said repeatedly: that the real risk for pregnant women isn't the vaccine, but catching COVID-19 while unvaccinated.
"Pregnant women are at increased risk for severe COVID-19–related illness, and COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal and neonatal complications," the report reads.
In online documents for expecting mothers, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control notes that other vaccines – such as those for tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis and influenza – are commonly and safely administered to women who are either pregnant or breastfeeding.
It also asserts there are "currently no known serious risks (such as an increased risk of miscarriage or possible birth defects) when getting a COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant."
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada supports COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women, as does the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.