Myths About COVID-19 Vaccines:
1) Myth: COVID-19 vaccines were developed rapidly, so they are not reliable.
Fact: COVID-19 vaccines, or any other vaccine for that purpose, undergoes extensive testing before getting approved. They undergo various clinical trials to meet safety standards. The clinical trials carried out for the vaccines help in the approval of the vaccinations. Several pieces of information were already available about other Coronaviruses like SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). So, researchers were able to develop the vaccines quickly, and we have to be really grateful for the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines.
2) Myth: COVID-19 vaccines cause allergic reactions in all.
Fact: It is true that some people develop allergic reactions after receiving COVID-19 vaccines. But, it is not applicable to all of them. If a healthy individual, it is absolutely fine to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. People who have a previous history of severe allergies should consult a doctor before getting the vaccine.
3) Myth: COVID-19 vaccine can result in life-threatening side effects.
Fact: COVID-19 vaccine does not result in life-threatening side effects. The side effects caused by them are general symptoms like fever, body aches, headache, muscle pain, and chills. These symptoms can be seen with other vaccines also. So, the COVID-19 vaccination is not a panic-causing one, and these symptoms in no way mean that a person have been infected with the deadly virus.
4) Myth: COVID-19 vaccine will alter the immune system.
Fact: COVID-19 vaccine will definitely alter the functioning of the immune system, but in an effective way. The vaccine instructs the cells to make a special protein called spike protein. This protein constructs a healthy system of antibodies to protect an individual against future infections.
5) Myth: Female fertility is lost after getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Fact: The placental protein of women and spike proteins share a common sequence of amino acids. Syncytin-1 cannot affect the female reproductive system of women. Experts have identified that there is no immune response that is triggered against fertility.
6) Myth: I have been diagnosed with COVID-19 infection, so it is not mandatory for me to receive the vaccine.
Fact: People with a previous infection with COVID-19 would have developed a natural immunity against the infection. Medical reports suggest that natural immunity can last for a few months. So in order to acquire prolonged immunity, a person can still receive the COVID-19 vaccine to get benefits from it. If a person has been treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies then they need to wait for 90 days to receive the vaccine.
7) Myth: Once my symptoms for COVID-19 disappear, I am COVID-19 negative, and I do not need vaccination.
Fact: The disappearance of COVID-19 symptoms does not indicate a negative case of COVID-19. Many people have developed long-haul symptoms even after recovery. A person should not come to the conclusion that they do not require vaccination. It is necessary for everyone to get tested again and then receive the vaccine to prevent worst outcomes when infected with COVID-19.
8) Myth: I received the COVID-19 vaccine, so I do not need a mask.
Fact: Having received a COVID-19 vaccine is a positive sign of protection. It does not necessarily mean that a person have to stop wearing the mask, as a person can still be an asymptomatic carrier. There are possibilities to meet people who have not received the vaccination and infect them. In order to prevent spreading this deadly virus, it is the social responsibility to wear a mask and follow other necessary COVID protocols to stay protected.
9) Myth: I can stop frequent hand washing after getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Fact: After receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, the body will take around four to six weeks to develop antibodies. A person would not instantly get immunity against COVID-19. As a precautionary measure, a habit of frequent hand washing should be followed regularly.
10) Myth: I will get COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine.
Fact: The COVID-19 vaccine does not contain live viruses that cause COVID-19. The vaccine contains genetically modified or dead viruses that instructs the cells to produce proteins to fight against the infection. Also, there are no active strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that are present in the vaccine. Therefore, there is no possibility of getting a COVID-19 infection. There could be certain side effects, but it actually indicates a positive immune response against the infection.
11) Myth: Patients with any underlying conditions should not get the vaccination.
Fact: Patients with underlying conditions like heart disease and diabetes are at the highest risk of severe COVID-19. To protect these patients from experiencing the worst outcomes such as hospitalization and death when infected with COVID-19, doctors advise them to receive a vaccination. This will help them to stay protected and also avoid various health complications in the future.
12) Myth: People who have a suppressed immune system should not get the vaccination.
Fact: People who have a suppressed immune system might have a history of autoimmune disorders. These people might have received treatments for cancer. Therefore, the COVID-19 vaccine would be more helpful for them to stay in a safe zone. Though the immune response to the vaccine might be lower than ideal, but some protection is always better than no protection. There are no live viruses in the strain, and so these people can confidently receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If a person have any particular health concerns, then talk to the doctor before receiving the vaccination.
13) Myth: If I am pregnant or breastfeeding, I should not receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Fact: Recent medical findings have proved that the COVID-19 vaccine is completely safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Many women who received COVID-19 vaccination delivered antibodies against the infection to the baby through the placenta and breast milk. But to be sure, consult your doctor before getting vaccinated.
14) Myth: People belonging to certain blood groups have less severe COVID-19 infection, so vaccination is not necessary for them.
Fact: There is no particular blood group that has been identified to have more or less susceptibility for COVID-19. A person can choose to receive vaccination regardless of whichever blood group they belong to. It is the best protective measure for the community.
15) Myth: I have received the first dosage of COVID-19, so I do not require the second dosage or the booster dose.
Fact: Receiving the first dosage of a vaccine provides only a certain degree of immunity. A complete immunization will be achieved only after receiving the second dose. So a person is advised to take both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination and the booster dose.
16) Myth: COVID-19 vaccines consist of microchips.
Fact: COVID-19 vaccines work by stimulating the immune system of the body and help in against the virus. It does not contain any microchips.
17) Myth: Receiving a vaccine can make a person magnetic.
Fact: Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will not make a person magnetic, including the site of vaccination.COVID-19 vaccines do not contain ingredients that can produce an electromagnetic field at the site of the injection. All COVID-19 vaccines are free from metals.
Conclusion
COVID-19 infection has impacted many lives. But many scientists and researchers have developed a way to fight against the deadly virus with a vaccine. The vaccine helps to build a defense mechanism in the body's fight against infections. It is mandatory to get vaccinated to avoid the spread of the virus.To know more about COVID-19 and its vaccines, consult an expert doctor. Queries can be posted regarding the same on icliniq.com.