Korean Health Officials Dismiss Rumors That COVID-19 Shots Cause Cancer
- Minseo Kim
- Oct 13
- 1 min read
Oct 13, 2025
Minseo Kim
South Korea’s health authorities have stepped in after online rumors spread claiming COVID-19 vaccines could cause cancer. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said there’s no scientific proof that the vaccine directly leads to cancer, adding that such claims are “hard to verify and lack evidence.”
The controversy started when a Korean research group published a study suggesting that vaccinated people might have slightly higher cancer rates. But experts quickly criticized the paper, saying it didn’t compare people fairly—important factors like age, smoking, drinking, or family medical history weren’t considered. They also explained that people who get vaccinated often visit hospitals more regularly, so doctors are simply catching cancers earlier, not seeing new ones appear.
KDCA officials made it clear that these findings shouldn’t be taken as fact. They stressed that vaccines remain crucial for protecting high-risk groups, especially before winter, when both COVID-19 and the flu tend to spread faster.
Health experts also warned that spreading unverified research could spark unnecessary fear and distrust. Instead, they encouraged people to rely on long-term, peer-reviewed studies rather than quick conclusions shared online.
