Rumor – Posts claim that a study from the Cleveland Clinic proves that the flu vaccine reduces life expectancy, increases infection risk, and would be ineffective.
Analysis
In recent months, anti-vaccine messages have resurfaced on social media, claiming that the flu vaccine is not only ineffective but also dangerous.
This time, the content states that a Cleveland Clinic study with over 50,000 people allegedly found negative vaccine efficacy, even suggesting reduced life expectancy.
With alarmist language, the messages went viral in disinformation groups. Here are some versions circulating online:
Version 1: 06/13/25: Does the flu vaccine reduce life expectancy? Studies begin to question how valid it is to take certain vaccines. Watch out, stay alert!
Version 2: Flu vaccines increase the chances of catching the disease and reduce life expectancy – Dr. John Campbell. A large study by the Cleveland Clinic (n=53,402) found a vaccine effectiveness of -26.9% during the 2024–25 flu season. Adjusted analysis: Vaccinated individuals had a significantly higher flu incidence than unvaccinated (HR 1.27, p = 0.007)
Version 3: CLEVELAND CLINIC: Flu vaccine associated with reduced life expectancy? A recent analysis of the Cleveland Clinic database brought an unexpected finding — individuals vaccinated against flu showed higher COVID-19 infection risk and, in some interpretations, even lower life expectancy. How to explain this? Coincidence? Causality? Or a warning about the cumulative impact of annual campaigns?
Fact-check
Despite differences, all versions use misinterpreted data and premature conclusions to cause panic. The viral posts raise three main questions: 1) Does the study prove the flu vaccine reduces life expectancy? 2) Is the Cleveland Clinic study reliable and definitive? 3) Does the post reflect scientific consensus on flu vaccine effectiveness?
Does the study prove the flu vaccine reduces life expectancy?
No. There’s no robust scientific evidence to support that claim. The study cited is a preprint (i.e., not peer-reviewed), conducted with Cleveland Clinic employees and, according to PolitiFact, it contains major methodological flaws, including lack of control over individual behaviors such as testing frequency and exposure.
Does the vaccine actually reduce life expectancy?
Also no. The CDC, the WHO and studies involving millions of people show the opposite: flu vaccines save lives, reduce hospitalizations and prevent severe cases. The posts distort preliminary data and ignore decades of scientific consensus.
Should the Cleveland Clinic study be taken as absolute truth?
Absolutely not. As shown in reviews by UNMC and the Public Health Collaborative, the study is limited, not peer-reviewed, and can’t prove causality. Using it to make absolute claims is a common tactic in misinformation. Furthermore, John Campbell, mentioned in some versions, has been linked to other vaccine-related distortions.
Conclusion
The rumor that flu vaccines reduce life expectancy is based on misinterpretations of a preliminary, unrevised study. Science continues to point to flu vaccination as an effective way to reduce complications, hospitalizations and deaths.
Fake news ❌
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