A video of French infectious diseases professor Christian Perronne making claims about COVID-19 vaccines has been shared widely by social media users who say he is a former vice president (VP) of the World Health Organization (WHO). But a WHO spokesperson told Reuters that Perronne was not a VP but a member of an advisory group.

In the video, Perronne speaks in French in Luxembourg’s Parliament and says that the COVID-19 vaccines are “completely ineffective”.

Users sharing the video describe Perronne as the WHO’s former vice president and repeat some of his claims (here, here, here , here).

According to local media reports, a discussion on a petition against vaccine mandates was held in Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies on Jan. 12 (here, here).

A WHO spokesperson told Reuters that Perronne was never a vice president within the organisation.

Perronne was a member and vice chair of the European Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (ETAGE), with his selection based on infectious diseases expertise, the WHO spokesperson said.

ETAGE is a body made up of independent experts who advise the WHO and European member states on immunisation (here).

The spokesperson added: “The views of individual group members do not necessarily reflect the views of WHO.

“False or misleading statements related to COVID-19 disease and COVID-19 vaccines have recently been attributed to Dr Perronne in the news.

“Any statements or conclusions that are not based on robust evidence are not in...

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