You've probably heard a lot of rumors surrounding a COVID-19 vaccine – some are good and some sound worrying. For many people, vaccines are a wonderful medical invention because they can help end a pandemic, but in reality there is a lot of misinformation about it. With so much information scattered in cyberspace, it is very difficult to separate true information from misleading information. We've compiled a list of some of the common myths out there so you can separate the facts from the myths surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine.
Step
Method 1 of 10: Myth: The COVID vaccine was rushed
Step 1. Facts:
Research that had been done for years before the pandemic was able to speed up the manufacturing process.
The rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine is not due to magic or miracles. This is the result of years of research and hard work to contain the spread of other viruses, including coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS. Thanks to research already being done on other coronavirus variants, scientists were able to quickly develop an effective and safe vaccine.
The vaccines made by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna use the same mRNA technology, but the results are slightly different. For example, Pfizer/BioNTech-made vaccines are allowed to be used in people aged 16 years and over with an effectiveness rate of up to 95%. This vaccine must be injected 2 times in a span of 21 days. Meanwhile, the Moderna vaccine is made for people aged 18 years and over, has an effectiveness rate of 94.1%, and must be injected 2 times within 28 days
Method 2 of 10: Myth: Vaccines have not been well tested
Step 1. Facts:
All vaccines must be manufactured to strict safety standards.
In the United States, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has published guidelines around safety and efficiency levels for all vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine. New vaccines must go through a test and trial phase involving a group of people. Researchers will then study the group to make sure the vaccine is safe and effective. All COVID vaccines that have been approved by the government have met the specified standards and are considered safe and effective.
During the trial phase, negative effects on the vaccine were also studied. The government will not approve the use of vaccines that are not safe for use by the public
Method 3 of 10: Myth: You can get COVID-19 from a vaccine
Step 1. Facts:
The circulating vaccines do not contain live viruses.
Every COVID-19 vaccine used is an mRNA vaccine. This type of vaccine serves to "teach" the body to recognize special proteins on the surface of the corona virus so that your immune system can fight the virus. The vaccine does not contain the corona virus so there is not the slightest chance of transmitting the virus to your body.
Some vaccines for other diseases, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, do use dead or attenuated live viruses. However, this method is not used in all variants of the COVID-19 vaccine currently circulating
Method 4 of 10: Myth: The COVID vaccine affects fertility
Step 1. Facts:
The COVID-19 vaccine has absolutely no effect on fertility.
The COVID-19 mRNA vaccine specifically teaches your immune system to fight the virus. However, it does not affect female fertility at all.
In fact, 23 female volunteers became pregnant during the Pfizer vaccine trial period. Only one woman had a miscarriage, but she actually only received a placebo or not a COVID-19 vaccine
Method 5 of 10: Myth: If you've been exposed to COVID-19, you don't need a vaccine
Step 1. Facts:
You can catch COVID-19 more than once.
In fact, people who are sick with the corona virus still need a vaccine to prevent a potential re-attack of the virus. Even if you can be protected from the virus for some time after getting vaccinated, there isn't enough evidence to show how long the effects last.
Scientists do not know how long the immune mechanisms produced by vaccines can last if they do not have sufficient data and information
Method 6 of 10: Myth: mRNA-based vaccines can alter DNA
Step 1. Facts:
mRNA does not interact with your DNA.
Messenger ribonucleic acid aka mRNA simply contains a set of "instructions" to teach the body's immune system to recognize the "increased protein" present on the surface of the COVID-19 virus so that your body can fight off the virus it detects. mRNA never enters the nucleus of the body's cells where DNA is stored. Since there is no interaction between mRNA and DNA, there is no way the substance can change your DNA.
Method 7 of 10: Myth: The COVID-19 vaccine has serious side effects
Step 1. Facts:
Most of the side effects of vaccines are only mild symptoms.
Some people experience side effects similar to those of other vaccines, such as muscle aches, chills, and headaches. These symptoms are normal and indicate that the body is protecting itself, and can go away after a few days. Although very rare, there are people who experience allergic reactions to ingredients in vaccines. If you have a history of severe allergies, such as anaphylaxis, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may recommend that you not receive the vaccine.
Even if scientists aren't completely sure, allergic reactions may be caused by antigens, animal protein residues, antimicrobial agents, preservatives, stabilizers, or other components in vaccines
Method 8 of 10: Myth: Vaccines can cause autism in children
Step 1. Facts:
There is no evidence to suggest that any vaccine can cause autism.
This myth is often associated with other vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. This stems from an old study that wrongly linked vaccines to autism in children. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 vaccine can cause autism in children or adults.
Method 9 out of 10: Myth: The virus has mutated so the vaccine no longer works
Step 1. Facts:
There is no evidence that currently available vaccines are ineffective.
While it is true that there are variants of the new coronavirus that spread quickly and are more contagious, there is no definitive data to show that the current vaccine will be ineffective. Viruses often mutate and current vaccines are still effective against new variants of the corona virus.
While current vaccines are effective against the new variant of the coronavirus, vaccine manufacturers are developing vaccine boosters to provide extra protection
Method 10 of 10: Myth: The body's natural immunity is stronger than vaccines
Step 1. Facts:
The immunity produced by the vaccine may be stronger than the body's natural immunity.
Immunity from vaccines is safer and less risky than immunity after catching a virus, and tends to be more effective. Studies show that 2 doses of the vaccine will produce immunity for a longer period than the immunity that the body produces after recovering from the corona virus. The best option is to inject the vaccine, not get the virus!
More research is needed to find out how long the immunity produced by the vaccine lasts. Current evidence suggests that immunity from viral attacks lasts only 90 days
Tips
- Look for information about COVID-19 from trusted sources, such as the WHO information channel or the COVID-19 Task Force in your area.
- The information in this article was written for citizens of the United States. Other regions may have different vaccination schedules or advice.
