Brazilian health officials are taking aggressive legal action against doctors accused of spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines and profiting from unproven treatments. The crackdown, announced this week by Health Minister Alexandre Padilha, comes as concerns grow over the continued influence of unsubstantiated claims – notably surrounding a debunked “post-spike syndrome” – and their impact on public health efforts. Officials are pursuing criminal and civil complaints, as well as pressuring social media platforms to remove false content, in a broad effort to counter vaccine hesitancy and protect citizens from potentially harmful practices.
Brazilian health officials are preparing a multi-pronged legal response to physicians who are spreading anti-vaccine misinformation online and profiting from unproven treatments and consultations, according to a report. The actions include criminal complaints against these healthcare professionals.
Health Minister Alexandre Padilha announced on social media that, in coordination with the Attorney General of the Union (AGU), the government will take “appropriate measures” against the promotion of what these doctors are calling “post-spike syndrome” or “spikeopathy” related to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. This comes as public health officials continue to address vaccine hesitancy and the spread of false medical claims.
Brazil’s Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, is preparing actions against doctors who disseminate anti-vaccine content on social media Foto: Marcelo Camargo/Agência Brasil
Padilha told reporters that the actions of these physicians represent a “combination of denialism and greed,” and that legal proceedings will begin immediately.
“First, along with the AGU, we will file a complaint with the Regional Council of Medicine. Second, we will file a civil action, because these professionals violate the right to health by spreading misinformation. This could lead to compensation for harming collective rights,” Padilha stated.
“Third, we will file a criminal complaint regarding the sale of false treatments, based on what constitutes public health crimes. Fourth, the AGU is already analyzing a notice to digital platforms to immediately remove content selling courses, materials, and spreading false information about vaccines and health,” he added.
Understanding the Situation
A recent investigation revealed that doctors with a combined social media following of over 1.6 million are claiming to have discovered a long-term intoxication caused by mRNA vaccines. The spread of unsubstantiated medical claims online is a growing concern for public health officials.
These physicians are promoting the idea that “spikeopathy” can be treated with an unproven protocol. Courses offered by these doctors cost up to R$685, and private consultations can reach R$3,200.
However, the existence of “spikeopathy” has not been validated by the scientific community. The spike protein is found on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and COVID-19 vaccines promote its production to generate an immune response, effectively training the body to recognize and fight the virus.
The doctors’ theory suggests that the spike protein induced by mRNA vaccines has harmful effects similar to those of long COVID, a chronic condition recognized by science that can affect people infected with the virus.
This hypothesis is championed by immunologist Roberto Zeballos, infectious disease specialist Francisco Cardoso, and neurologist Paulo Porto de Melo in a study they published in the journal IDCases in June. The study was later retracted due to serious flaws and evidence of misconduct.
Cardoso and Zeballos were contacted for comment. Cardoso argued that the study was not intended to create protocols, make population recommendations, or establish causal links. However, the study itself asserts that “post-spike syndrome” is a condition associated with the spike protein, originating from both COVID-19 infection and mRNA vaccines, without any scientific evidence to support this claim.
Zeballos stated that the study’s purpose was not to establish an official protocol, but to inspire colleagues to conduct clinical trials to prove the treatment’s effectiveness. However, reports indicate that the doctor is recommending the use of this treatment on social media.
Brazil Invests in Vaccine Technology
Padilha announced that the Brazilian government is investing R$150 million in the construction of two research and production platforms for mRNA vaccines. One will be located at Fiocruz in Rio de Janeiro, and the other at Butantan in São Paulo.
He believes that this technology, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, will give the country the agility to produce vaccines in the event of new pandemics and epidemics.
“Developing this technology is important to prepare for future pandemics or epidemics. A respiratory virus can develop a mutation like the one that occurred with COVID-19 and quickly cause an outbreak. mRNA vaccines allow for rapid adaptation against that virus,” Padilha explained.
Padilha also said the government is investing R$60 million to attract researchers from other countries to conduct research in the field. He noted that the U.S. government, under Donald Trump, terminated contracts with companies in the area, creating an opportunity for Brazil.
The minister also stated that the report from Estadão comes during the COP30 climate conference in Belém, which discussed how denialism—both climate and health-related—has impacted public health.
“Defeating denialism and innovating to protect and vaccinate vulnerable populations is one of the actions of the Belém Action Plan for Adapting Health Systems to address climate change,” Padilha said.
