Fact Check: A Cambodian Policeman Becoming Paralyzed by the Chinese COVID19 Vaccine? Here is the Truth...
The first batch of shipment of China-donated COVID19 vaccines arrived in Cambodia on February 7th, and three days later a nation-wide vaccination campaign was launched. The Chinese version of COVID19 vaccines, haves stirred up debates and rumors regarding the effectiveness of these vaccines were shared widely among social media circles in Cambodia.
On this backdrop, we noticed number of post claiming that a police general of the Interior Ministry had become paralyzed after being injected with a dose of the Chinese vaccine, hence questioning the effectiveness of the vaccination drive in Cambodia. However, Factcrescendo Cambodia investigation revealed that the claim to be false.
Social Media Claims:
English translation of a Facebook post made on February 27 by Chhun Vean II is seen below.
“Unofficial Breaking News. A police general of the Ministry of Interior becomes paralyzed after being injected by a dose of Chinese vaccine.
If this case is true, Prime Minister Hun Sen must reconsider before allowing injection continued.”
Facebook Post | Archived Link Facebook Post | Archived Link
Fact Check
We started our investigation by reviewing photos and comments responded to these viral posts. One of photos shows that the concerned the police officer is a one-star general called Chea Udom.
General Chea Udom had rejected these claims, saying that these viral posts were completely false. He added that one of his legs had soft edema due to “crural hernia” and “hyperuricemia” and as a result, he was unable to walk, as a normal person would do. Chea Udom also confirmed that he had not yet been vaccinated due to his health condition.
Original post is as seen below.
Udom is the Deputy Director of Internal Security Department of the General- Commissionerates of National Police, according to a statement issued by the Police Department.
General Chea Udom dismissed the claim via an interview with a local broadcaster and requested the officials to bring such fake news instigators to justice.
We also noticed that Siem Reap Provincial Court has issued a warrant for Chhun Van, for posting false information on Facebook, claiming that a police officer from the Interior Ministry had become paralyzed after being vaccinated by the Chinese version of the COVID19 vaccine.
Conclusion:
Factcrescendo Cambodia found the claim of a police general of the Interior Ministry becoming paralyzed after being injected by a dose of the Chinese vaccine to be false. Chea Udom had become partially paralyzed due to a medical condition on one of his legs and is in no way related to the Chinese COVID19 vaccine.
In fact, since General Chea Udom is fighting with crural hernia and hyperuricemia he has been advised not to take the COVID19 vaccine yet.
Title:Fact Check: A Cambodian Policeman Becoming Paralyzed by the Chinese COVID19 Vaccine? Here is the Truth...
Fact Check By: FC CambodiaResult: False
