Myths and Facts about Covid-19 Vaccination

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a global health crisis that has impacted millions of people worldwide. With the emergence of the virus, scientists and medical professionals have been working tirelessly to develop a vaccine to prevent the spread of the disease. The COVID-19 vaccine has been developed and authorized for emergency use by regulatory agencies around the world. A vaccine is a crucial tool in fighting the pandemic and protecting individuals from severe illness, hospitalization, and death. However, there has been a lot of skepticism about the COVID vaccine. Read ahead to differentiate between some common myths about it.

1. Myth: If I’ve already had COVID-19 once, I don’t need to get vaccinated.

FACT: People who have gotten sick with COVID-19 and recovered should also get vaccinated. Due to the severe health risks in the long run associated with COVID-19 people may be advised to get a COVID-19 vaccine even if they have already been sick with COVID-19 before. Also, people who have once gotten sick with COVID-19, are at risk of re-infection with COVID-19, hence it is pertinent to get vaccinated for them too.

2. Myth: Getting the COVID-19 vaccine means we can stop wearing masks and social distancing.

FACT: The CDC’s updated safety guidelines state that fully vaccinated people can resume everyday life activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing themselves, except where required by the law, including local business and workplace guidance. However, the CDC continues to recommend that masks and physical distancing are required when going to the doctor’s office, hospitals, or long-term care facilities.

 

3. Myth: The adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are dangerous.

FACT: COVID-19 vaccines can have side effects, but they are very short-term and aren’t serious or dangerous. The vaccine developers report that some people experience pain in local areas where they were injected, body aches, headaches, and fever, lasting for a day or two. These are signs that the vaccine is doing its job and working to stimulate your immune system. If symptoms persist beyond two days, consult a doctor.

 

4. Myth: The safety of the vaccines is questionable because they were developed quickly.

FACT: The COVID-19 vaccines themselves were developed quickly, but the clinical trials, which examine safety and efficacy, weren’t rushed at all. Safety was not compromised in any way. Only the development process of the vaccine was done quickly.

 

5. Myth: Getting vaccinated could make you infertile.

FACT: There is absolutely no data from the clinical trials or any theoretical reason to believe that the vaccines could cause infertility. In fact, pregnant women with COVID-19 infections could have a miscarriage or go into premature labor, which is all the more reason to get the vaccine.

 

6. Myth: You can get COVID-19 from the vaccines.

FACT: The vaccine doesn’t have any live viruses, so it can’t infect someone.  Basically, the vaccines make our bodies produce one single protein from the virus—the protein that infects our cells and by making that protein, our body’s immune system prevents infection. You might have certain side effects like a headache or chills, but that’s just because your body is creating an immune response against the virus, not because you have an infection.

 

7. Myth: The COVID-19 vaccines will alter your DNA.

FACT: Many people get scared that mRNA will cause the virus to go into our DNA and mutate, but it doesn't even go into the center part of the cell where we have our DNA. mRNA basically provides our cells the blueprints for the factories that will build the protein to protect us from COVID-19.

 

8. Myth: Pregnant or breastfeeding women shouldn't get vaccinated.

FACT: The CDC believes it is fine for pregnant women to get the vaccine. Pregnant women who get infected with the virus can have complications or pass diseases to their babies, and the same goes for breastfeeding. Since the vaccine doesn’t contain a live virus, you can’t pass anything to the baby.

 

9. Myth: People with underlying conditions shouldn’t get vaccinated.

FACT: People who have underlying conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, are at high risk for getting complications from COVID-19, so it’s even more reason why they should get vaccinated.

 

10. Myth: People with suppressed immune systems should not get vaccinated.

FACT: People with suppressed immune systems (like cancer treatments or autoimmune diseases) should definitely get vaccinated as the vaccine can’t hurt them. Those with suppressed immune systems will still benefit from the vaccine and get protection from COVID-19, just not as much protection as those with healthy immune systems.