MAFS’ Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson are accused of spreading Covid misinformation

Married At First Sight couple Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson have been accused of spreading Covid-19 misinformation after they appeared to suggest their twin sons were born prematurely because Melissa had received the Pfizer vaccine while pregnant.

The pair shared a video to Instagram on Monday in which they discussed their babies’ progress in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after they were born 10 weeks premature on October 16.

But their suggestion the boys arrived early as a result of Melissa having her second Pfizer jab angered some fans, who said this was highly unlikely to have been the case.

Many critics pointed out that twins are often born premature and there is no evidence whatsoever the Covid-19 vaccine affects pregnancy. 

They also feared Bryce and Melissa’s video could discourage pregnant women from getting the vaccine, which could put them at serious risk of becoming seriously ill with coronavirus.

‘Are you blaming the Covid jab for the twins being born prematurely? Lots of twins are premature. Your post already has people talking about pregnant women not getting the jab. Just wondering was that your intention?’ one person commented.

‘Correlation doesn’t equal causation. This is dangerous to suggest it had anything to do with a very normal twin birth which after 28 weeks is absolutely expected they could arrive early,’ another said.

A third wrote: ‘I’ve had the jab and didn’t go into premature labour and a lot of women who had the jab that I know haven’t either. She was pregnant with twins and more than half are born early so it is possible that it was actually coincidental.’

Update: The pair shared a video to Instagram on Monday in which they discussed their babies’ progress in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after they were born 10 weeks premature on October 16

‘People are so quick to blame the vaccine. It is highly likely that there was no correlation between the vaccine and early birth. When pregnant women have the vaccine their babies can actually be born with the antibodies to fight off Covid,’ a fourth commented.

Another fan wrote: ‘Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I’m really worried that this is blaming the Covid vaccination on what is likely a coincidence with no medical proof that it’s linked.

‘It is so incredibly dangerous for pregnant women to get Covid and may deter people from getting it, potentially putting themselves and baby in more danger.’ 

Reaction: Their suggestion the boys arrived early as a result of Melissa having her second Pfizer jab angered some fans, who said this was highly unlikely to have been the case

In the video, Melissa said there was ‘no medical indication’ her children would be premature – then appeared to suggest her second Pfizer jab had caused the twins to be born 10 weeks early.

‘Friday the 15th [of October], I actually had my second Pfizer jab booked in and, yeah, I obviously had gone to the doctors and spoken to my obstetrician and they had all said that it’s safe for pregnant women to get their Pfizer jab,’ Melissa said.

‘Yeah, I had mine done and 14 fourteen hours later I had gone into labour.’ 

There is no evidence the Covid vaccine causes children to be born premature.

More than 50 per cent of twins are born before 37 weeks, and up to 15 per cent before 32 weeks, so Bryce and Melissa’s sons being born early is hardly unusual.

The MAFS couple were overjoyed when they welcomed their twin boys, Levi and Tate, on October 16. The babies were taken to the NICU but are expected to be perfectly fine. 

Facts: There is no evidence the Covid vaccine causes children to be born premature. More than 50 per cent of twins are born before 37 weeks, and up to 15 per cent before 32 weeks, so Bryce and Melissa’s sons being born early is hardly unusual