7 Misconceptions About
Covid-19 Vaccinations
That Could Save Your Life
Covid-19 Vaccinations
That Could Save Your Life
Are you unsure about whether to get vaccinated against Covid-19? With so much misinformation online about the Covid-19 vaccine, it’s natural for you to question its safety.
But there are channels you can turn to to get the facts on the Coronavirus and the Covid-19 vaccination, and it’s not WhatsApp or Social Media. Too often, the theories shared on these networks are retracted hours later. Why? Because they’re simply not true. They’re merely opinions.
And unfortunately, as a result of fake news, more and more people are refusing to get the vaccine, many of which are high-risk cases.
Getting vaccinated saves lives. You might not have comorbidities, but your friend or child, or partner could. And while you could sail through the illness unvaccinated, they might not. It’s very likely they’d need to be admitted to the ICU for oxygen, and there are no guarantees they’d make it through.
So consider all the facts before making your decision. It’s why we’ve put together a list of the most common myths around Covid-19 vaccinations. If you still have questions, contact our team of doctors or check out our Coronavirus Information portal.
Check Your Facts Before You Make Decisions: It Could Save Your Life
Ultimately, it’s your body and your choice. No one can force you to get the vaccine but know the facts first. Don’t make a decision based on false information from unreliable sources.
Your life is precious, and Covid-19 is a killer. No one can know how you’ll react to the disease. It could severely impact your health and the well-being of your family. Is that a risk worth taking?
Just like childhood vaccinations, millions of resources dedicated countless hours into the development of these vaccines. The FDA would never have approved them had they not been extensively tested. So if you’re not a scientist or a medical professional, use these methods to fact check:
- Start your search with reliable and trusted sources: e.g., WHO, scientific research journals, medically approved and authentic websites.
- Read more than one trusted source.
- If they offer similar results and share similar facts, it’s probably true.
- If the statement is unconfirmed, research further and be wary of passing on misinformation.
As with any subject matter, there are experts leading the way. You wouldn’t trust just anyone to perform surgery on you, so don’t be so quick to believe hearsay.
A Lesson on Vaccines from Our History
In the early 1900s, the polio epidemic swept through cities and towns worldwide, temporarily or permanently paralysing and disfiguring hundreds of thousands of people. Many didn’t survive. It was a disease that struck fear into the hearts of parents.
The top scientific minds worked tirelessly to produce a vaccine which when implemented, would essentially eradicate the disease. The polio vaccine is now included in childhood immunisation schedules across the globe. It’s a true example that prevention is better than cure. Watch the video below to learn more about how polio was eradicated.
7 Myths About the Covid-19 Vaccine
1. The Covid-19 vaccine is unsafe because it was developed too fast
It’s amazing what modern medicine and the world’s leading minds can do when they come together with a common goal. While the vaccine was developed in record time, it still went through the same FDA process that other vaccines have undergone, and all safety standards were met. Globalisation and technology is far superior to, say, 50 years ago, and speed was a necessity.
2. The Covid-19 vaccine might change my DNA
Your body is incredibly clever. Here’s how. The vaccine contains a messenger RNA (mRNA) that tells the cells to make the spike protein found in the coronavirus. When your immune system recognises this protein, it creates antibodies, effectively teaching your body how to protect against this type of infection. Your body then gets rid of the mRNA without it ever entering the nucleus of your cells, where your DNA is stored. So, no, the vaccine won’t change your DNA.
3. The Covid-19 vaccine has side effects such as an allergic reaction
People react to vaccines differently, and while some may sail through, others do experience side effects. This is common to all vaccines. In some cases, Covid-19 vaccinated people have reported mild muscle pain, headaches, and chills. Only a small few may experience an allergic reaction. But so will and have people to many other vaccines, including the annual flu vaccine.
4. The Covid-19 vaccine causes infertility in women
Another myth born on social media. There is no evidence to suggest Covid-19 causes infertility in women. While the immunisation shares an amino acid sequence between the spike protein and a placental protein, it’s too short to cause an immune response and affect fertility.
5. I’ve already had the virus, so I don’t need the Covid-19 vaccine
Evidence suggests that you will still benefit from the vaccine since it is unknown how long natural immunity last. As a precaution, it’s advised you still get the vaccine.
6. I don’t have to wear a mask if I’ve had the Covid-19 vaccine
Remember, the vaccine doesn’t necessarily stop you from getting Covid-19. You can still get the virus, but where your symptoms might be severe had you not had the vaccine, vaccinated people are likely to experience minor symptoms. So please do still wear your mask in public, wash and sanitise your hands regularly, and avoid large gatherings.
7. I can get Covid-19 from the vaccine
The vaccine doesn’t contain the live virus, so no, you can’t get Covid-19 from the vaccine.
Trust Reputable Sources, Not Social Media
Have all the facts before you make your
decisions. Yes, in some people, the vaccine does cause minor side effects, but
these are minimal, and the benefits outweigh the risk of not being vaccinated.
So before you accept videos on Facebook or WhatsApp as conclusive proof, ask yourself these important questions.
- Is this source credible?
- What are the facts? Can their statement be disproved?
- Does the World Health Organization (WHO) agree with their statements?
Or voice your concern with our team of doctors. They’re ready to answer all your Covid-19 vaccine questions. You can also check out our Corona (COVID 19) information portal. Make the right decision.
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