Rumor has been going around that several airlines are planning to prevent vaccinated people from flying due to possible health issues caused by the Covid vaccine. In a video largely shared on Facebook and Twitter, a presenter of the Australian channel Sky News states that airlines, especially Russian and Spanish, “recommend that vaccinated people do not travel” due to the risk of blood clots. He explains this is a common phenomenon during long flights and that this risk is magnified by the vaccination. With no evidence to support the claim – except the source he says he relies on, a German blog called “Uncut-News” – this information still traveled the world and raised many speculations on social media.
As a matter of fact, blood clots can form in the deep veins of your legs during travel because you’re in a sitting position in a confined space for a long period of time. On the other hand, indeed, researchers are still studying the possible link between blood clots and the Astra Zeneca vaccine – while reassuring that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks. However, it is important to note that these two cases of blood clots are very different and have no interaction whatsoever. According to several health experts contacted by Reuters, “flying is not known to increase the vaccine-induced blood clot risk as flying can provoke a different type of blood clot“. In the same article, Dr Sue Pavord explains to Reuters that “VITT (Vaccine induced Thrombosis and Thrombocytopenia) is an immune reaction to vaccine and is not provoked by flying.” As for airlines, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which represents 290 airlines worldwide, as in 82% of the world’s total air traffic, told Reuters it was not aware of any airlines considering such measures.
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Emma Suleiman
