Myths & Reality: COVID Vaccine

Covishield/ Covaxin

COVID-19 has created chaos and fear amongst everyone in the past 1 year. All the scientists and researchers have been working nonstop around the globe to develop a cure and vaccine for Coronavirus. The vaccination drive has started in India on 16th January 2021, but it is surrounded by many rumors and misinformation in this post I’d like to clear myths surrounding the COVID-19 Vaccine.

Myth 1: We can’t trust COVID-19 Vaccine

Although it’s the first vaccine to be prepared in such short duration but no stage has been bypassed to compromise the security of the vaccine. The vaccine has undergone various trials before approval and mass production.

Know more about Vaccines: Here

[Tweet “Vaccination is essential to beat COVID-19”]

Myth 2: Vaccine could cause COVID-19

Certainly Not

Vaccine is not made of live virus but the protein or fat particles to trigger the immune response of body without getting infection.

• Pfizer & Moderna: mRNA Based
• Oxford-Astra Zeneca- Covishield: Adenovirus vector Based
• Bharat Biotech- Covaxin: Inactivated Virus Based

Myth 3: Vaccine would alter my DNA

The vaccine contains mRNA which causes the cells to make the hallmark spike protein of coronavirus which would start the immune response in the body and after the mRNA has completed its designated action it’ll break down.

The vaccine can’t alter DNA of the body.

Myth 4: I’ve already had COVID-19 so I don’t need Vaccine

Even though we’ve suffered from COVID 19 and developed antibodies we don’t know how long-lasting they are. It’s better to take vaccines to stay protected and keep people around you safe.

Myth 5: it’s an experimental vaccine & could cause severe reactions

There is data supporting the cases of reactions ranging from mild to severe. There are few reported cases of adverse drug reactions too, but it’s very similar to every other vaccine available. The reactions could be controlled with proper medication and care.

Documented reaction of Vaccine:

• Injection site pain/ swelling/redness/itching    
• Stiffness in the upper arm  
• Weakness in injection arm  
• Body ache  
• Headache  
• Fever  
• Malaise  
• Weakness  
• Rashes  
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Severe reactions like:

• Difficulty in breathing
• Swelling of your face and throat
• Increased heart beat
• Rash all over your body
• Dizziness and weakness

Myth 6: Vaccine causes infertility

There no data to support this myth. In the studies no case has been found of infertility.

Myth 7: I don’t need a mask & gloves once I get vaccinated

You’ve to continue using masks and gloves to protect people around you. After taking 2nd dose of the vaccine it takes around 10 days for the body to develop immunity against disease. even after the vaccine none of the vaccines has 100% efficacy so the chances of 5% of the population being without immunity are still there.

Till the time everyone is immunised we’ve to wear mask and gloves.

Myth 8: COVID-19 would end with vaccination

We all wish that.

Even after vaccination it’s going to take time since the vaccine are limited and for now vaccination has been started with health care professionals and they’re still not available for general population. Once the vaccination drive is complete around the world then only COVID-19 would end.

Stay Safe and Stay protected till then

Be healthy.

Reference:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_vaccine
• https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-vaccines
• https://www.bharatbiotech.com/covaxin.html
• https://www.bharatbiotech.com/images/covaxin/covaxin-fact-sheet.pdf
• https://vaccine.icmr.org.in/covid-19-vaccine
• https://www.muhealth.org/our-stories/covid-19-vaccine-myths-vs-facts
• https://www.henryford.com/blog/2020/12/vaccine-myths
• https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/covid-19-vaccination-health-minister-harsh-varddhan-tackles-myths-can-one-catch-covid-19-from-vaccine-2352629
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Moderna.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Pfizer-BioNTech.html