Fact check: Do COVID-19 vaccines cause an 82% miscarriage rate?
Johnson said a study showed an 82% miscarriage rate, a figure the article says misrepresented the study’s data.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYCredibility rates KSBW, where this article appeared. The other scores rate the article itself.
KSBW is an established local news outlet, and this article is identified as a PolitiFact fact check republished through a reporting partnership. The page clearly attributes the original work, though this is not KSBW’s own reporting.
- Source type — Established local television news outlet.
- Transparency — The page identifies PolitiFact as the original publisher and describes the Hearst Television partnership.
- Editorial standards — The article is presented as a fact check with research and source attribution.
- Author attribution — The article’s original author is not identified in the provided page details.
The fact check explains the denominator behind the disputed statistic, gives relevant study figures, and cites follow-up research and medical sources. It clearly distinguishes Johnson’s claim from the findings reported by researchers.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article explains Johnson’s claim and the basis he offered, then assesses it against the original study, follow-up research and other evidence. It does not provide an extended response from Johnson beyond his spokesperson’s explanation.
- Source diversity — Cites studies, a medical expert and professional guidance, though most sources support the article’s conclusion.
- Counterarguments presented — Johnson’s claim and his spokesperson’s explanation are included, followed by evidence challenging the statistic.
- Precision — Explains the study denominator and gives specific figures for the initial and follow-up findings.
- Omitted context — Johnson’s view is represented mainly through the claim and a spokesperson’s response.
The article uses a fact-check format and evaluates Johnson’s claim against study data rather than relying on partisan framing. Its conclusion is critical of his statement, but the presentation is evidence-focused.
- Framing — Frames the story around whether the statistic accurately represents the research.
- Language tone — Mostly restrained, explanatory language; the article attributes the disputed claim and states its fact-check conclusion.
- Source selection — Uses study findings and medical sources alongside Johnson’s stated rationale.
Cites Politifact
This article cites Politifact as its original publisher. ChamberLight has not verified that it is a republication, so the scores are KSBW's own.
20 stories · 82–84 · updated Oct 1, 2026
This is Politifact's own score. The Source Check scores are for KSBW and this article.
Sen. Ron Johnson said a 2021 study showed an 82% miscarriage rate after early COVID-19 vaccination, but the article says he misrepresented the data. Follow-up research and other studies found no increased miscarriage risk.
Johnson cited text messages in which Anthony Fauci said reported vaccine effects theoretically could be associated with first-trimester miscarriage, and a 2021 study of vaccinated pregnant people. The article explains that Johnson’s 82% figure excluded people whose pregnancies were still ongoing, leaving only early-vaccinated participants whose pregnancies had already ended by the study cutoff.
A follow-up study found a cumulative miscarriage risk of 12.8% to 14.1%, and the article describes other research finding no increased risk. It reports that PolitiFact rated Johnson’s statement “False.”
Community verdict
21 VOTES
People in this story
SWIPE →Senator whose claim about COVID-19 vaccines and miscarriage rates is fact-checked
Then-nominee for surgeon general who asked Fauci about vaccination timing during pregnancy
Former president referenced in connection with his health officials
Then-director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and participant in the text exchange
Senator who released Fauci’s text messages with Johnson
Part of a bigger story
16 OUTLETSRon Johnson and Rand Paul released messages from Anthony Fauci’s government phone discussing COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. Center outlets focus on fact-checking Johnson’s 82% miscarriage-rate claim and explaining what the study data and later research show. Right-leaning outlets stress the contrast between Fauci’s private messages and public assurances, alongside Johnson’s pursuit of records or testimony.
- ARTICLES
- 19
- OUTLETS
- 16
- AVG CRED
- 66
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