---
title: "US investigating COVID vaccine link to military deaths"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-investigating-covid-vaccine-link-to-military-deaths"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/us-investigating-covid-vaccine-link-to-military-deaths"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-investigating-covid-vaccine-link-to-military-deaths.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/us-investigating-covid-vaccine-link-to-military-deaths"
category: "Conflict & Security"
area: "United States"
published: "2026-09-05T23:05:27.171Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-05T14:51:23.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-05T23:05:27.171Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 57
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-06T00:15:17.456080+00:00"
---

# US investigating COVID vaccine link to military deaths

*An Army doctor's testimony has prompted a probe into whether vaccines contributed to service member fatalities.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to Politico, with multiple outlets citing this source.
- Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. Reporting is based on digests, with limited detail on the investigation's methodology or findings.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines emphasize claims of death from vaccines, while the body describes an investigation into possible links.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- An Army doctor, Theresa Long, has testified that she is aware of 28 US military deaths potentially caused by COVID-19 vaccines.
- The US Department of Health and Human Services and the Pentagon have launched an investigation into these claims.
- The investigation is reportedly linked to court depositions and lawsuits concerning vaccine mandates.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Pete Hegseth are involved in the probe, according to reports.

The US Department of Health and Human Services and the Pentagon are investigating whether COVID-19 vaccines contributed to the deaths of American service members. This inquiry follows testimony from Army doctor Theresa Long, who stated under oath that she is aware of 28 military deaths linked to the vaccines. The investigation is reportedly connected to claims made in court depositions and lawsuits.

## Disagreement on the number of deaths

Theresa Long testified that she is aware of 28 US military deaths caused by COVID-19 vaccines. However, one report states that the US government is investigating approximately 2,544 deaths reported due to the Covid vaccine. Another report mentions that Dr. Long is reviewing 2,544 still unverified death reports among military personnel after vaccination.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated digests mention the specific number of 2,544 unverified deaths that some reports state Dr. Long is reviewing. Similarly, none of the centre-rated digests mention this figure. While some right-rated digests mention Dr. Long reviewing 2,544 unverified death reports, the specific number of 28 deaths testified to by Dr. Long is not mentioned in all right-rated digests.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 25 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 28% (7)
- Centre: 4% (1)
- Right: 68% (17)

14 of 39 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-06T00:15:17.456080+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 8 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-06T01:00:18.035Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports focused on the involvement of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Pete Hegseth in the investigation, often framing it as a probe into vaccine skepticism or baseless theories. Several reports highlighted that Kennedy hired a COVID vaccine skeptic, with one noting that the hiring is part of Kennedy's campaign to explore theories about vaccine hazards. Politico was frequently cited as the source for the reports. Some left-rated digests also mentioned the claim of 28 deaths but often placed it within the context of broader investigations or skepticism surrounding vaccines. For example, HuffPost Italia noted that the testimony contradicts Defense reports and mentioned spontaneous abortions as well. Jezebel suggested that if RFK Jr. is looking for someone to blame for the COVID vaccine, he could start with Trump. Raw Story stated that RFK Jr. and Pete Hegseth planted an Army doctor at HHS to chase a COVID vaccine theory.

### Centre

- The centre-rated report from Political Wire highlighted Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s involvement in probing whether troops died from COVID-19 vaccines. It stated that an Army doctor told a federal court she is working with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to investigate the matter. The report cited Politico as its source.

### Right

- Right-rated reports consistently focused on the investigation itself, often attributing it to the Trump administration and highlighting the role of Army doctor Theresa Long and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Many digests stated that the Pentagon and HHS are investigating whether COVID vaccines contributed to military deaths, with some linking it to the Biden administration's military vaccine mandate. Several reports mentioned that Dr. Long is teaming up with the Trump administration to investigate these claims. The Jewish Voice and OpsLens, for instance, cited American Greatness and Daily Caller News Foundation respectively. The Tennessee Star and Conservative Daily News also reported on RFK Jr. probing whether service members died from COVID vaccines, citing Politico and Dr. Long's testimony. The Liberty Daily used quotation marks around the word 'vaccines' when reporting on the investigation.

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- low: 7
- mixed: 9
- high: 6
- unknown: 16

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [yenicaggazetesi.com](https://yenicaggazetesi.com/kovid-asisi-28-askeri-oldurdu-demisti-abdde-kritik-goreve-getirildi-1068700h.htm) — He Said "The Covid Vaccine Killed 28 Soldiers": He Was Appointed to a Critical Position in the US.
- [The Jewish Voice](https://thejewishvoice.com/news/national/pentagon-hhs-investigating-whether-covid-vaccines-contributed-to-military-deaths) — Pentagon, HHS Investigating Whether COVID Vaccines Contributed To Military Deaths
- [OpsLens](https://opslens.com/report-rfk-jr-army-doctor-probing-whether-service-members-died-from-covid-shots-worldnetdaily-by-ireland-owens-daily-caller-news-foundation) — Report: RFK Jr., Army doctor probing whether service members died from COVID shots * WorldNetDaily * by Ireland Owens, Daily Caller News Foundation
- [Daily Telegraph NZ](https://dailytelegraph.co.nz/news/us-army-doctor-links-military-deaths-to-covid-jab) — US Army doctor links military deaths to Covid jab
- [HuffPost It](https://huffingtonpost.it/esteri/2026/09/05/news/kennedy_vaccini_contro_covid-22648131) — "The U.S. Army Dead for the Anti-Covid Vaccine." The No Vax Fury Leads Kennedy to the Confrontation with the Pentagon (by L. Varlese)
- [namasthe telangana](https://ntnews.com/international/covid-vaccines-killed-28-troops-said-us-army-doctor-in-virginia-court-2503082) — Covid Vaccine: 28 Soldiers Died From Covid Vaccines: US Army Doctor
- [indyturk.com](https://indyturk.com/node/782084) — A Doctor Who Said "The Covid Vaccine Killed 28 Soldiers I Knew" Is Under Criticism in the US.
- [[your]NEWS](https://yournews.com/2026/09/05/7186419/rfk-jr-investigating-whether-reported-military-deaths-were-connected-to) — RFK Jr. Investigating Whether Reported Military Deaths Were Connected to COVID-19 Vaccines
- [nyadagbladet.se](https://nyadagbladet.se/halsa/militarlakare-vittnar-28-dog-av-covidvaccin) — Military Doctor Testifies: 28 Died From Covid Vaccine
- [SINDOnews.com](https://international.sindonews.com/read/1746583/42/dokter-angkatan-darat-as-ungkap-28-tentara-tewas-akibat-vaksin-covid-1788584961) — US Army Doctors Reveal 28 Soldiers Died From Covid Vaccine
- [armedforces.press](https://armedforces.press/pentagon/2026/09/04/pentagon-hhs-investigating-whether-covid-vaccines-contributed-to-military-deaths) — Pentagon, HHS Investigating Whether COVID Vaccines Contributed To Military Deaths - Armed Forces Press
- [CLG News](https://legitgov.org/u-s-army-doctor-claims-28-troops-died-from-covid-vaccines) — U.S. Army doctor claims 28 troops died from Covid vaccines
- [Boston Globe](https://bostonglobe.com/2026/09/04/nation/kennedy-hires-covid-vaccine-skepctic) — Kennedy hires COVID vaccine skeptic to look at dubious claims of military deaths - The Boston Globe
- [Tennessee Star](https://tennesseestar.com/uncategorized/rfk-jr-now-probing-whether-u-s-service-members-died-from-covid-vaccines/dcnf/2026/09/04) — RFK Jr. Now Probing Whether U.S. Service Members Died From COVID Vaccines
- [ThePress United | International News Analysis, Viewpoint](https://thepressunited.com/updates/us-army-doctor-claims-28-troops-died-from-covid-vaccines-politico) — US Army doctor claims 28 troops died from Covid vaccines – Politico - The Press United
- [starrs.us](https://starrs.us/pentagon-hhs-investigating-whether-covid-vaccines-contributed-to-military-deaths) — Pentagon, HHS Investigating Whether COVID Vaccines Contributed to Military Deaths
- [American Faith](https://americanfaith.com/hhs-investigating-links-to-army-deaths-and-vaccination) — HHS Investigating Links to Army Deaths and Vaccination
- [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/13e6fc11d95e2bdc) — Pentagon, HHS Investigating Whether COVID Vaccines Contributed To Military Deaths
- [Conservative Daily News](https://conservativedailynews.com/2026/09/rfk-jr-now-probing-whether-us-service-members-died-from-covid-vaccines) — RFK Jr. Now Probing Whether US Service Members Died From COVID Vaccines
- [🔔 The Liberty Daily](https://thelibertydaily.com/rfk-jr-now-probing-whether-u-s-service) — RFK Jr. Now Probing Whether U.S. Service Members Died From Covid "Vaccines"
- [WND](https://wnd.com/2026/09/report-rfk-jr-army-doctor-probing-whether-service) — Report: RFK Jr., Army doctor probing whether service members died from COVID shots * WorldNetDaily * by Ireland Owens, Daily Caller News Foundation
- [Zero Hedge](https://zerohedge.com/covid-19/pentagon-hhs-investigating-whether-covid-vaccines-contributed-military-deaths) — Pentagon, HHS Investigating Whether COVID Vaccines Contributed To Military Deaths
- [Joe.My.God.](https://joemygod.com/2026/09/rfk-investigates-whether-covid-vax-killed-us-troops) — RFK Investigates Whether COVID Vax Killed US Troops
- [The Daily Caller](https://dailycaller.com/2026/09/04/rfk-service-members-vaccines-covid-mandate-biden-hegseth) — RFK Jr. Now Probing Whether US Service Members Died From COVID Vaccines
- [Bizpac Review](https://bizpacreview.com/2026/09/04/rfk-jr-now-probing-whether-us-service-members-died-from-covid-vaccines-1657642) — RFK Jr. now probing whether US service members died from COVID vaccines
- [thedailybs.com](https://thedailybs.com/2026/09/04/rfk-jr-now-probing-whether-us-service-members-died-from-covid-vaccines) — RFK Jr. Now probing whether US service members died from COVID vaccines - The Daily Bo Snerdley
- [Jezebel](https://jezebel.com/covid-19-vaccine-investigation-pentagon-hhs-rfk-jr-military-deaths-trump-biden-vaccine-development-warp-speed) — If RFK Jr. Is Looking for Someone to Blame for the COVID Vaccine, He Could Start with Trump
- [The Daily Wire](https://dailywire.com/news/rfk-jr-and-pete-hegseth-open-investigation-into-army-covid-vax-over-unverified-deaths) — RFK Jr. And Pete Hegseth Open Investigation Into Army COVID Vax Over Unverified Deaths
- [banker.bg](https://banker.bg/2026/09/04/sasth-pochinali-voenni-vaksinacziya-covid-19) — The US Will Investigate Whether Any Military Personnel Died After Being Vaccinated Against COVID-19
- [Political Wire](https://politicalwire.com/2026/09/04/rfk-jr-probes-whether-troops-died-of-covid-vaccine) — RFK Jr. Probes Whether Troops Died of Covid Vaccine
- [American Greatness](https://amgreatness.com/2026/09/04/pentagon-hhs-investigating-whether-covid-vaccines-contributed-to-military-deaths) — Pentagon, HHS Investigating Whether COVID Vaccines Contributed to Military Deaths › American Greatness
- [BAKU.WS: Xəbəriniz olsun](https://baku.ws/dunya/abs-de-herbcilerin-peyvendden-sonra-olum-hallari-arasdirilir) — US Investigating Deaths of Military Personnel After Vaccination
- [sawaleif.com](https://sawaleif.com/%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D9%81%D8%B6%D9%8A%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%86-%D9%88%D9%88%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%A9-%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%88-1104361) — American Testimony on the Paiden Scandal, the Death of Soldiers with a Caved Vaccine, and the Manipulation of Data by the Pentagon.
- [Apa](https://apa.az/america/abs-da-covid-19-vaksinlerinden-sonra-herbcilerin-mumkun-olum-hallari-arasdirilir-993558) — US Investigating Possible Deaths of Military Personnel After COVID-19 Vaccines
- [fakti.bg](https://fakti.bg/world/1078653-sasht-razsledvat-smart-na-voenni-sled-vaksinacia) — US Investigates Deaths of Soldiers After Vaccination
- [Raw Story](https://rawstory.com/rfk-jr-army-vaccines) — RFK Jr. and Pete Hegseth plant Army doctor at HHS to chase a COVID vaccine theory: report
- [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/09/04/2564810.html) — The United States is investigating a possible link between the covid vaccine and the death of military personnel, Politico reported
- [Politico](https://politico.com/news/2026/09/03/rfk-jr-covid-vaccines-pentagon-defense-injuries-01063921) — RFK Jr. is investigating whether troops died of Covid vaccine, Army doctor says
- [Life.ru](https://life.ru/p/pentagon-rassleduet-vozmozhnuyu-gibel-voennosluzhaschih-iz-za-vaktsin-ot-covid) — The Pentagon Is Investigating the Possible Death of Soldiers Due to COVID-19 Vaccines.

## Questions

**What is the main claim about COVID-19 vaccines and military deaths?**

An Army doctor, Theresa Long, has testified that she is aware of 28 deaths among US military personnel that she believes were caused by COVID-19 vaccines. This testimony has prompted an investigation by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Pentagon.

**Who is involved in the investigation?**

The investigation is being conducted by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Pentagon. Reports indicate that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Pete Hegseth are involved in the probe, with some sources suggesting they are working with Dr. Long.

**What is the source of these claims?**

The claims stem from testimony given by Army doctor Theresa Long in a federal court deposition. These depositions and related lawsuits concerning military vaccine mandates are reportedly the basis for the ongoing investigation.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-investigating-covid-vaccine-link-to-military-deaths. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "US investigating COVID vaccine link to military deaths", https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-investigating-covid-vaccine-link-to-military-deaths