Here's everything the internet got wrong about 'pathogenic priming' Social media posts claim that vaccines will 'facilitate' greater infection, rather than stop the illness, due to 'pathogenic priming.' This is false. Author: Evan Koslof Updated: 3:16 PM EDT May 11, 2021 WASHINGTON — On social media, there are many posts claiming that something called "pathogenic priming" is occurring in those who take the COVID-19 vaccine. According to these posts, this is when the vaccine "facilitates" greater infection, rather than preventing it. The Verify team spoke with medical experts to get a better understanding of whether this concept is real, and whether there's been any documented proof of it occurring with the COVID-19 vaccine.