"Attach a Magnet and Apply Cupping"…Absurd 'Vaccine Detox Method' Controversy

Internet Communities and Cafes Share Fake Information
"Graphene Oxide Purge, Bring Magnets" Fuels Anxiety
Experts Refute: "Vaccines Cannot Be Extracted by Cupping"

An explanation of the 'vaccine detox method' posted on an online community. There is a claim that applying cupping therapy to the body part where the vaccine was administered can expel the vaccine fluid outside the body. / Photo by Internet Community Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Controversy is growing as some netizens concerned about COVID-19 vaccine side effects claim that cupping therapy and magnets can extract the vaccine fluid from the body. Experts warn that there is no basis for such folk remedies and that premature treatments could cause adverse effects.

On the 2nd, a post sharing methods to remove the vaccine from the body was uploaded on an online cafe. The netizen who wrote the post suggested, "How about going to a Korean medicine clinic immediately after vaccination to get cupping therapy?" and added, "It mainly involves drawing blood from the shoulder and arm."

The netizen said, "My husband is still holding out, but due to pressure from his company, he probably has to get vaccinated," and "Since he was given a day off, I plan to take him to the Korean medicine clinic right after vaccination."

In response, cafe members advised, "Isn't it better than doing nothing?" and "Since graphene oxide in the vaccine sticks to magnets, bring a large magnet to prevent it from spreading around."

Baseless vaccine-related rumors spreading on online communities and social networking services (SNS) are causing concern. Some netizens share methods to remove the vaccine fluid, while others spread false information claiming harmful foreign substances are in the vaccine, fueling anxiety.

On the morning of the 1st, COVID-19 vaccines were prepared for vaccination at Hongik Hospital in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

On an online community, a method for performing cupping therapy at home was also shared. Mr. A, who ordered cupping materials to treat his sister-in-law who was vaccinated, said, "I advised against it, but my sister-in-law had no choice but to get vaccinated because of her company. I plan to perform cupping therapy myself," and explained, "Once the bloodletting needles and cupping device arrive, I will do it immediately. I will attach a magnet to the cupping device in advance, and when graphene oxide gathers toward the magnet, I will perform cupping."

Another netizen claimed, "I overcame it by getting cupping therapy after receiving the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine," asserting its effectiveness.

However, experts refuted these 'vaccine detoxification methods' as having no basis.

On the 4th, Korean medicine doctor Lim Yein appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jongbae's Focus' and explained, "(Cupping) to remove blood stasis is more about relieving the condition called blood stasis than extracting toxins from the body."

An anonymous Korean medicine doctor running a clinic in Seoul also pointed out in a radio interview, "The vaccine fluid does not get extracted by cupping. It spreads immediately after injection," and added, "Since cupping is done on the subcutaneous fat layer, the vaccine, which is administered intramuscularly, cannot be drawn out."

Additionally, Korean medicine doctors repeatedly emphasized that performing cupping therapy without expert assistance could cause secondary infections and stressed the need to promptly get vaccinated when conditions allow for public safety.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.