CAPRISA Condemns Deepfake Misinformation About COVID-19 Vaccines in South Africa

The Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) has condemned a deepfake video falsely depicting its Director, Professor Salim Abdool Karim, claiming COVID-19 vaccines are harmful and cause fatalities. CAPRISA and Abdool Karim have unequivocally denied these false claims, reaffirming the safety and efficacy of the vaccines and stressing that neither they nor CAPRISA endorse any commercial medicines. The manipulated video, which mimics an interview from South Africa’s national broadcaster, has been widely circulated on social media, raising concerns about the growing threat of misinformation fueled by deepfake technology. CAPRISA urges the public to verify health information with trusted sources and report fake news to protect public health and maintain trust in scientific research. Meanwhile, a multi-state CDC-led study in the U.S. confirms that updated COVID-19 vaccines continue to provide significant protection against severe illness, especially for older and vulnerable adults, underscoring the importance of vaccination despite evolving virus variants. Together, these developments highlight ongoing efforts worldwide to combat both the COVID-19 virus and the misinformation surrounding vaccines.