A video of a Belgian politician pretending to be vaccinated shows a simulation.

A video of a nurse administering the vaccine without opening a syringe has been posted on social media since at least December 3, 2021 in publications condemning the Belgian prime minister pretending to have taken an immunizing agent against covid-19. But the images were not meant to deceive the public. In fact, they correspond to a vaccination trial for which the caps were intentionally left on the syringes. In addition, Bart Somers, Deputy Prime Minister of the Belgian region of Flanders, who subsequently received the vaccine, appears in the frame.

“Belgium: Prime Minister Alexandre de Croo tried to fake his own vaccination, but unfortunately for him, the nurse giving the injection is not as good an actress as he is.”, read in messages on Facebook (one, 2, 3) e no Twitter (one, 2).

Content was also distributed in Spanish language, English, French e Dutch…

In fact, the video shows a man allegedly receiving the vaccine and then it becomes apparent that the syringe being used by the healthcare professional is still under warranty. Social media users mentioned the Bilzen vaccination center in the Belgian province of Limburg in comments on Dutch-language publications.

A Google search for the keyword “Bilzen Vacinatiecentrum test” resulted in report A broadcast published on February 1, 2021 by the Belgian radio and television network VTR, which explains that the images actually match a simulated covid-19 vaccination.

The video is no longer available on this site. But the audiovisual material was general the same day on facebook Bart Somers, Deputy Presiding Minister and Minister of the Interior of the Government of the Flemish Region, one of the three constitutional communities in Belgium.

In fact, he is a politician who appears in audiovisual material, not the Prime Minister of Belgium. Alexander De Crooas stated in publications broadcast on social networks.

Starting at 1 minute and 32 seconds, the same sequence can be seen on social media:

Comparison of screenshots from video of misleading publications (E) and video of VRT published by Somers, taken on December 13, 2021 (. /)

Somer wrote in the publication that the purpose of the trial was to examine areas that needed improvement at the immunization center in order to begin immunization when vaccines are available. He also explained that he didn’t actually receive the first dose at the event. “To be clear: I was not given a real injection.”– said in Dutch.

The local newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws also published article about the test: “Under the approving gaze of the Flanders Minister of the Interior, Bart Somers, about fifty people from Bilzen [no nordeste da Bélgica] and its surroundings today received the first dose against the coronavirus. At least so to speak, because it was a rehearsal. The vaccination center at De Quimpel Sports Hall has undergone extensive testing for the first time. “, says the text.

The Home Secretary explained to AFP on February 4, 2021 that the event shown in the video was a test to prove the logistics of vaccination sites, not an actual vaccination:

“We see the danger of false news again. Testing will begin this week at several Flemish vaccination centers. To check if everything is in order after vaccines become available, several vaccination centers set up a simulation. For example, they look at how long it takes to vaccinate a person and if there are long queues. It is irresponsible and dangerous for people to use this moment of practice to spread false news. “…

minister too published byin Dutch about materials used for disinformation. The loose translation says: “For clarity, during this trial, no vaccine was given, and even no injections were given. Otherwise I would have shouted “oh” louder “…

June 7, 2021 politician released photo of the moment you received your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. On the same day, the Belgian channel RTV published video don’t make events, nor Facebook.

In early 2021, false and misleading publications involving officials around the world and vaccinations began to recur. AFP has confirmed several of these claims (1, 2, 3).