Fake news can spread faster than ever and has the power to deceive people, manipulate opinions and incite fear. A current case that illustrates this trend is an alleged statement by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach about a planned compulsory vaccination for newborns.
Lauterbach, known for his constant health warnings and advice during the coronavirus pandemic, is a popular target in the world of misinformation. Despite playing an important role in providing health-related advice and information to the public, he has repeatedly been confronted with false statements being put in his mouth.
One such statement concerned an alleged proposal for compulsory vaccination for newborns. A screenshot of a Facebook post circulating with Lauterbach's photo claimed that the Federal Health Minister had suggested: "That's why I also propose compulsory vaccination for all newborns."

But how much truth is there in this statement? The short answer is: none.
The myth debunked
The reality couldn't be further from what is portrayed on social media. The alleged Facebook entry by the Federal Minister of Health is a fake. Upon closer inspection, there is no indication that Lauterbach ever made such a suggestion. Rather, it appears to be a classic case of “digital word of mouth,” where statements have been distorted and taken out of context to promote a particular narrative.
A spokesman for the Federal Ministry of Health confirmed that this was neither the minister's opinion nor a post. A thorough search for the alleged Lauterbach posting on various platforms also yielded no results.
Lauterbach's actual position
In fact, following the recommendation of the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) in May 2022, Lauterbach supported the corona vaccination for children between the ages of five and eleven, but emphasized the parents' decision-making power. In his own words: “Parents must decide freely.”
He fully supported the Stiko recommendation and expressed the hope that the vaccination would be well received. He emphasized that no pressure should be exerted. There was never any mention of infants in the discussion.
Conclusion
The danger of misinformation in the digital age is real and widespread. They have the power to shape public opinion and base decisions on false assumptions. At a time when our health is at stake, it is more important than ever to ensure we have the right information.
The case of the fake Lauterbach post is a perfect example of the importance of verifying information before we accept or share it. In an increasingly connected and digital world, we all need to ensure that the information we share is accurate and not intended to spread fear or misinformation. The truth may be hard to find at times, but it is always there when we look for it.
Source:
dpa fact checking
Already read? Sometimes it's the oldest stories that die the hardest. A classic example of this is the legendary hoax of GPS key fobs distributed at gas stations. Mimikama warns: Old legends don't die: The GPS key fob hoax at gas stations is back!
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

