24/08/2021
10 Common Misconceptions About COVID -19 Vaccination.
MYTH 1: “If you already had COVID-19, you do not need to be vaccinated.” FALSE.
Even if you have already had COVID-19, WHO recommends that individuals be vaccinated. The protection that someone gains from having COVID-19 will vary from person to person, and it is also not known how long natural immunity might last. Those who have previously had COVID-19 infection should still receive COVID-19 vaccination
MYTH 2: “I have a strong immunity and will handle the illness without a problem.” FALSE. COVID-19 vaccines produce protection against the disease, as a result of developing an immune response to the SARS-Cov-2 virus. Developing immunity through vaccination means there is a reduced risk of developing the illness and its consequences. This immunity helps you fight the virus if exposed. Getting vaccinated also helps reduce risk of infecting someone else.
MYTH 3: “Vaccine was developed too quickly without proper research and it is not safe” FALSE. There are strict protections in place to help ensure the safety of all COVID-19 vaccines. Before receiving validation from WHO and national regulatory agencies, COVID-19 vaccines must undergo rigorous testing in clinical trials to prove that they meet internationally agreed benchmarks for safety and effectiveness. As with all vaccines, WHO and regulatory authorities will continuously monitor the use of COVID-19 vaccines to confirm that they remain safe for all who receive them.
MYTH 4: “Vaccines contain toxic ingredients that can harm you” FALSE. While the ingredients in the labels of vaccines can look intimidating, they are usually found naturally in the body, the food we eat, and the environment around us - for example, in tuna. The amounts in vaccines are very small. Additionally, vaccines are tested and go through rigorous and lengthy scientific trials as well as certification processes with WHO and national regulatory agencies to ensure that they are safe and effective
MYTH 5. COVID-19 vaccines can give you COVID-19. FALSE. COVID-19 vaccine do not cause COVID-19 infection. Vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus. Sometimes this process can cause symptoms, such as fever. Typical side effects include pain at the injection site, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, and diarrhea. These symptoms are normal and are signs that the body is building protection against the virus. It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. That means it’s possible a person could be infected with the virus just before or just after vaccination and still get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection. If symptoms are persistent and prolonged, they should not be attributed to the vaccine side effects and testing for COVID-19 should occur.
MYTH 6: “The AstraZeneca vaccine is dangerous” FALSE. WHO GACVS has found that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (Vaxzevria and Covishield) is effective at preventing serious side effects of COVID-19 infection that can cause hospitalization and death. The most common side effects from the vaccine are mild to moderate that usually resolve in a few days. The most serious side effects are very rare but can cause blood clots with low platelets. Recent data from the UK suggests the risk these serious sides effects is approximately four cases per million adults (1 case per 250 000) who receive the vaccine. Hence the benefits of vaccination are far greater than the risk of the rare side effect.
MYTH 7: “COVID-19 vaccines can compromise your fertility.” FALSE.
WHO has stated that if you are trying to become pregnant now or want to get pregnant in the future, you may get a COVID-19 vaccine when one is available to you. There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination causes any problems with pregnancy. There is also no evidence that fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, but always consult your own doctor when making these decisions.
MYTH 8: “The Vaccine does not always work so I should not bother to get one” FALSE. While several COVID-19 vaccines appear to have high levels of efficacy, no vaccine is 100% protective. As a result, there may be a small percentage of people who do not develop protection after vaccination. In addition to a vaccine's specific characteristics, several factors such as a person's age, their underlying health conditions or previous exposure to COVID-19 may have an impact on a vaccine’s effectiveness. It is also not yet known how long immunity from different vaccines will last. That is one reason why, even after vaccination, we must continue using all public health measures that work, such as physical distancing, masks, and hand washing.
MYTH 9: “Vaccines contain micro-chips.” FALSE. Rumors that claim Bill Gates’ plan to use vaccines to implant trackable microchips in people are just that, Rumors. These spread after Bill Gates said in an interview that people would eventually have digital certificates to show who had been tested, recovered or received a vaccine, but this was taken out of context. The Bill and Melinda Foundation confirmed that claims were false, and that the reference to “digital certificates” related to efforts to create a digital platform to help expand access to safe home-based testing. So please, don’t believe every conspiracy theory you hear.
MYTH 10: After vaccination I can stop taking precautions. FALSE. Vaccination protects you from getting seriously ill and dying from COVID-19. For the first fourteen days after getting a vaccination, you do not have significant levels of protection. For a single dose vaccine, immunity will generally occur two weeks after vaccination. For two-dose vaccines, both doses are needed to achieve full immunity. While a COVID-19 vaccine will protect you from serious illness and death, the extent to which it keeps you from being infected and passing the virus on to others is unknown. To help keep others safe, continue to maintain at least a 1-2 meter distance from others, cover a cough or sneeze in your elbow, clean your hands frequently and wear a mask, particularly in enclosed, crowded or poorly ventilated spaces. Always follow guidance from local authorities based on the situation and risk where you live.
Credit ... UNICEF
#ᴄᴏᴠɪᴅᴠᴀᴄᴄɪɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ
