Doctor Debunks Nicki Minaj’s Claim On COVID-19 Vaccine

By Regina Park

September 14, 2021

Photo: Getty Images

A public health expert is chiming after Nicki Minaj made a controversial tweet about the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday (September 13). 

“They want you to get vaccinated for the Met,” the “Pills N Potions” rapper wrote online, “If I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met. It’ll be once I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now. In the meantime my loves, be safe. Wear the mask with 2 strings that grips your head & face. Not that loose one.” 

After revealing that she wasn’t going to get the shot to attend the Met Gala, Nicki then shared a story of a cousin’s friend who claimed to become impotent after receiving the vaccine.

“My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent. His testicles became swollen,” she wrote. “His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with your decision, not bullied.” 

According to CNN Medical Analyst and emergency medicine physician, Dr. Lena Wen, impotence is not a known side effect of any COVID-19 vaccine currently authorized through the FDA.

“It is just not true that getting the COVID-19 vaccine is associated with infertility in either males or females,” Wen told People.

Wen did say, however that there are known side effects of getting COVID-19, which include a negative impact on the male reproductive system.

“In fact, we know that there are actually consequences, if somebody gets COVID-19, in terms of the impact on the male reproductive system,” she said, “there have been studies that have linked scrotal discomfort and low sperm count to having COVID-19. In addition, there has been an association between scrotal swelling and congestion to having COVID-19,” not the vaccine. 

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, known side effects, masks, and more, please click here.

Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.