Nicki Minaj.Photo: Paul Zimmerman/Getty
Despite claims fromNicki Minajthat a family member’s friend was rendered impotent from theCOVID-19vaccine, a public health expert tells PEOPLE this is not a side effect of the shot.
On Monday, Minajrevealed that she would not be attending the Met Galaand then shared her thoughts about the requirement to be vaccinated in order to attend this year’s event.
“They want you to get vaccinated for the Met,” she tweeted. “if I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met. It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now. In the meantime my loves, be safe. Wear the mask with 2 strings that grips your head & face. Not that loose one”
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“My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent. His testicles became swollen,” she wrote. “His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied”
“It is just not true that getting the COVID-19 vaccine is associated with infertility in either males or females,” Dr. Wen, who is an emergency physician and public health professor at George Washington University, tells PEOPLE.
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“In fact, we know that there are actually consequences, if somebody gets COVID-19, in terms of the impact on the male reproductive system,” she says, adding: “There have been studies that have linked scrotal discomfort and low sperm count to having COVID-19. In addition, there has been an association between scrotal swelling and congestion to having COVID-19. So, to emphasize, these are not associated with the vaccine but with the disease.”
Dr. Wen also notes the risks associated with influential figures spreading misinformation about the potential side effects of the COVID-19, instead of relying on scientific evidence.
“My concern is that there are already… more than 80 million Americans who have yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” the author ofLifelines: A Doctor’s Journeyin the Fight for Public Health tells PEOPLE.
“Many of these individuals have heard misinformation and disinformation about the vaccine and are understandably scared as a result. It is extremely harmful to them to have influential figures, including celebrities with a large social media following to perpetuate this information. In times of crisis, we need for everyone to be singing from the same songbook and that is the songbook of science and evidence.”
Minaj also hit out at other outlets claiming the stories about her were “lies”.
“I cited my young child as why I didn’t want to travel. But notice how NONE of them mentioned that? Ask yourself why that was,” she tweeted.
A rep for Minaj did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Twitter hasestablished guidelinesprohibiting users from spreading false information regarding coronavirus. However, a spokesperson for the platformtold CNNon Monday that Minaj’s tweets do not violate the policy.
Minaj also revealed Monday that she hadcontracted COVID-19while working on a music video shoot.
In response to one fan who said they had received the vaccine for their job,the rapper wrote: “I know babe. A lot of countries won’t let ppl work w/o the vaccine. I’d def recommend they get the vaccine. They have to feed their families. I’m sure I’ll b vaccinated as well cuz I have to go on tour, etc.”
Dr. Wen tells PEOPLE that Minaj, as well as anyone who contracts COVID-19 before receiving the vaccine, can get their first dose as soon as their symptoms subside.
As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
source: people.com
