A photo spread on social media was falsely tagged to claim to show three of the four recipients of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine that developed Bell’s paralysis – a condition, in most cases temporary, of partial facial paralysis. This image, which apparently shows a kind of paralysis caused by Bell’s paralysis, has been circulating at least since 2019.
A tweet with the wrong label photo here (archive version archive.vn/jeulB) reads: “Vaccination that is vaccinated is a more accurate name. These are 3 of the 4 volunteers who developed Bells paralysis after being vaccinated with the experimental vaccine Pfizer (SIC). Masks anyone? Other posts are visible here on Instagram and here on Facebook
The same photo appears in an article about Bell’s Palsy here, which according to the website was last updated on November 20, 2019.
On December 11, the FDA said it approves the use of Pfizer Inc’s COVID-19 vaccine, which is shown to be 95% effective in preventing the disease at a late stage (here).
FDA findings
According to the FDA’s December 10 information document here, paralysis of Bell was reported in four vaccine participants and none in the placebo group, out of the 44,000 total participants in the late-stage vaccine trial (here).
But the FDA said that “the observed frequency of Bell’s paralysis in the vaccine group is in line with the expected background rate in the general population, and that there is no clear basis for concluding a causal link at this time.” However, the agency recommended that this condition be monitored as soon as the vaccine is distributed in larger populations.
Reuters had earlier clarified other claims about the side effects of the Pfizer vaccine here.
BELL PARALISM
As explained by Johns Hopkins Medicine here, Bell’s paralysis is a delivery of facial muscle weakness or paralysis, which “usually resolves on its own and causes no complications.”
Although its cause is unknown, it is thought to be caused by ‘inflammation affecting the body’s immune system’. It is related to the body’s response to viral infection, and to other conditions such as diabetes.
The symptoms of the condition, which include headaches and pain, pulling or weakness in one side of the face, start suddenly and it usually worsens within the next 48 hours, leading to the face hanging down and a crooked smile (here) .
Some social reports referring to the FDA’s findings claim that Bell’s paralysis is a permanent condition (here). Experts note that in most cases the weakness is temporary and improves significantly within a few weeks, “with full recovery within about six months” (here).
According to the FDA briefing, one in four cases was “reported to be resolved within three days of initiation.” (here)
In another post on social media (here) it is alleged that Bell’s paralysis is “related to strokes”. Although this condition can cause similar symptoms, the conditions have different causes (here, here, here, here).
BELL’S PALSY AND CENTERS
Of the examples of Bell’s Palsy developed after the administration of various vaccines found by Reuters (here, here, here), some are determined to be a “theoretically possible” rare complication, although this has not been proven ( here), and most others are not causally associated at all (here, here).
The Institute for Safety Against Vaccination at Johns Hopkins University explains that vaccines for varicella, tetanus and diphtheria prevent Bell’s paralysis by protecting against these infections associated with the condition (here)
VERDICT
Partly false. The photo does not show three out of four recipients of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine that developed Bell’s paralysis, a partial facial paralysis that is considered a temporary condition. According to the FDA, these cases are not necessarily considered by the vaccine.
This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our work to actually check social media posts.