ABC News producers reportedly edited out a key piece of a statement made by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. In doing so, it left some viewers confused, and prompted others to lash out on social media.
According to Fox News Digital, the confusion arose when host Cecilia Vega asked Walensky about a study that shows vaccines prevent severe virus outcomes.
Vega asked about encouraging headlines and a new study showing just how well vaccines are working to prevent severe illness.
“The overwhelming number of deaths, over 75 percent, occurred in people who had at least four comorbidities,” Walensky said. “So really, these are people who were unwell, to begin with. And yes, really encouraging news in the context of omicron.”
An ABC News spokeswoman confirmed the edit to Fox News. A CDC spokesman also confirmed Walensky was referring to deaths among vaccinated people, not all COVID-19 deaths.
ABC News later released the unedited version, which showed Walensky’s full answer.
