No, COVID-19 vaccines don't cause an 82% miscarriage rate as Sen. Ron Johnson said
Johnson said a study showed an 82% miscarriage rate after vaccination, a figure PolitiFact says misrepresents the data.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYPolitiFact is an established fact-checking newsroom that identifies its author and supports its verdict with research and attributed statements. The article provides substantial evidence, though the assessment reflects the publisher’s general institutional credibility rather than treating any single verdict as definitive.
- Track record — Established national fact-checking outlet with a sustained record of reporting.
- Editorial standards — The article explains the basis for its rating and distinguishes the claim from the underlying study data.
- Transparency — Names the author and identifies studies, researchers, and sources for its claims.
- Source type — National news and fact-checking publication.
The article lays out the denominator error with specific figures, cites follow-up and other studies, and includes a response from Johnson’s spokesperson. It is evidence-rich, although the article gives limited space to independent arguments for Johnson’s interpretation.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article gives Johnson’s claim and his spokesperson’s explanation, then tests the claim against the study’s denominator, follow-up research, and other evidence. It is strongly evidence-led but does not provide an extended defense of Johnson’s interpretation.
- Source diversity — Draws on published research, an expert, and the spokesperson’s response.
- Omitted context — Explains both the initial study limitation and subsequent evidence; little space is devoted to an alternative interpretation.
- Counterarguments presented — Includes Johnson’s statement and his spokesperson’s explanation of its source.
- Loaded language — The decisive wording is tied to the fact-check rating and explained by the evidence.
The article uses a fact-check format and supports its conclusion with study figures and attributed statements. Its firm verdict follows the evidence presented rather than displaying a discernible partisan framing.
- Language tone — Mostly factual and restrained, with its conclusion stated plainly.
- Source selection — Uses research findings, a spokesperson’s response, and an outside medical expert.
- Framing — Frames the piece around testing a specific statistical claim against the study methods and broader evidence.
PolitiFact finds Sen. Ron Johnson’s claim that COVID-19 vaccination was linked to an 82% miscarriage rate false: the figure excluded most early-vaccinated participants whose pregnancies had not yet ended. Follow-up and other studies found miscarriage risks within the typical range.
Johnson said text messages from Dr. Anthony Fauci showed officials knew about miscarriage risks, and cited a 2021 study for an 82% rate. PolitiFact explains that this figure came from excluding 700 third-trimester vaccinations from a group of 827 completed pregnancies, leaving 127 early-vaccinated pregnancies that had already ended by the study cutoff—not all early-vaccinated participants.
A follow-up study found a cumulative miscarriage risk of 12.8% to 14.1%. The article also cites studies involving more than 100,000 and 123,000 pregnancies, plus a 2026 analysis reporting a 13.5% risk. It concludes that the evidence does not show an increased miscarriage risk from COVID-19 vaccination and rates Johnson’s claim false.
Community verdict
17 VOTESPeople in this story
SWIPE →Senator whose claim about miscarriage rates the article fact-checks
Then-nominee for surgeon general who asked Fauci about vaccination timing during pregnancy
Former president whose health officials exchanged messages with Fauci
Then-director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, included in the text exchange
Senator who released Fauci’s text message chains 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
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- OUTLETS
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- AVG CRED
- 66
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