A video shared 8,300 times on Facebook makes false claims about the optional microchip that could appear in the syringe label of the ultimate COVID-19 vaccine. The video claims that the microchip ‘will give officials information about who has been and is not vaccinated’ and ‘to track the patient’s location’. These allegations are false.
Although the video does not specify where this microchip would be, it appears that users commenting on it are interpreting the technology. Some comments on the video include: ‘It was only a matter of time before they allowed a microchip to detect people …’ and ‘You’re not putting a chip in my body!’ This is also false.
This edit was apparently created by Elizabeth Johnston (see watermark in the upper left corner). The video was posted here and here on her Facebook and Instagram pages on December 9 (archived versions archive.vn/9YRh2, archive.vn/wip/2Vqll)
The video contains parts of a CBN interview youtu.be/WllUZVwQBZ8?t=209 with Jay Walker, executive chairman of the pre-filled syringe manufacturer Apiject Systems of America (apiject.com/), to the Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense Health and Human Services recently announced a $ 138 million contract with ApiJect to expand the U.S. manufacturing capacity of medical grade injectors for the ultimate COVID-19 vaccine (bit.ly/2VZnjxv).
The video inaccurately refers to Walker as the company’s CEO, but the role is played by Franco Negron (apiject.com/leadership/).
In the CBN interview (youtu.be/WllUZVwQBZ8?t=209) Walker is asked about how the ‘optional RFID chip’ would work, referring to the radio frequency identification chip that may be part of the syringe’s label, not the injectable substance. itself (as set out here on page 13).
Reuters addressed this interview earlier in a similar fact-checking that misleadingly compiled the interview with footage from Bill and Melinda Gates and Jack Ma’s comments unrelated to the COVID-19 vaccine here.
Steve Hofman, a spokesman for Apiject, had earlier confirmed by telephone to Reuters that this ‘optional’ microchip would not be injected into the person receiving the vaccine.
The microchip, he explained, was designed for two purposes: ‘to allow the healthcare provider to confirm that the actual injection and the vaccine in it have not expired and that it is not counterfeit’. It will also confirm that ‘that particular injection has been used’. The healthcare provider, Hofman added, will use a mobile app to capture and review this information. It does not involve disclosing patients’ personal information.
The RFID chips they mention are commonplace and are often found in inventory tracking and supply chains (more here).
“MASS DELIVERY OF STICKS WITH MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY”
It is true that the company plans to enable the mass production and delivery of pre-filled syringes for the ultimate COVID-19 vaccine (youtu.be/WllUZVwQBZ8?t=29). In the interview, Walker says that Apiject would be able to “prepare at least one hundred million doses for injection” (youtu.be/WllUZVwQBZ8?t=269).
However, the claim that these vaccines will include a microchip is misleading. However, as stated by Walker youtu.be/WllUZVwQBZ8?t=254, this technology is “purely optional, and the US government has not even decided whether to use it”. Hofman recently contacted Reuters and confirmed that the technology has not been requested so far.
CLAIMS ON PERSONAL INFORMATION AND TRACKING PEOPLE’S LOCATION
The video claims that the slide will give officials information about who was and was not vaccinated. This is false. As this slide does not collect any personal data, it will not directly provide information on who received the vaccination, but will notify the healthcare provider when the dose expires or if it has been falsified.
It is also alleged that “the disk detects the patient’s location so that officials can know where the vaccinated patients are and therefore plans to increase vaccinations in places with outbreaks.”
Hofman confirmed to Reuters that the microchip “can detect where a vaccination is taking place, but not who has been vaccinated.”
As outlined here (bit.ly/3m6wJBJ, on page 13), by gathering this real-time information about when and where each injection takes place, and thus knowing which sites are not covered, this technology would enable officials to vaccination campaigns. ”
Reuters dismissed other false allegations about the COVID-19 vaccine here, here, here, here,
VERDICT
Partly false. This optional COVID-19 vaccine microchip, not yet requested by U.S. officials, will not collect or track the personal information of the person receiving the vaccine. It will share when and where injections occur, if the dose has expired or if it has been falsified.
This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our work to actually check social media posts.