Beware COVID-19 vaccine myths — they’re rubbish

Beware COVID-19 vaccine myths — they’re rubbish


No, it won’t make you sterile. Nor will it alter your DNA like the radioactive insect that turned Peter Parker into Spiderman. Neither will it implant a microchip in your body. And it certainly isn’t dangerous.

The dark corners of the internet are spewing out globs of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. So, let’s help separate fact from fantasy.

Scientists widely and overwhelmingly agree the COVID-19 vaccines introduced by Moderna and Pfizer have been proved safe in large trials. And they have been shown to be incredibly effective in preventing COVID-19.

Yes, some people report side effects. But for almost everyone, they are mild and dissipate quickly — headaches, soreness at the injection site, dizziness, among others.

Scientists say the vaccines won’t make you more susceptible to other diseases, nor do they introduce the coronavirus into your body. Instead, these COVID-19 shots use an artificial piece of the coronavirus’ genetic instructions to essentially train the body’s immune system to defeat the virus.

A common misconception is the vaccines aren’t as safe as others because they were developed so quickly. Not true. Tremendous support and resources have been dedicated to the COVID-19 vaccine effort, and prior research also helped pave the way. That speeded the process. No shortcuts were taken. Regulatory oversight on vaccine production was unchanged. Efficacy and safety studies were by the book.

The vaccines won’t stop the pandemic on a dime. And we’ll have to keep wearing masks for a while, even after we’re vaccinated. One reason is that scientists know the vaccine can prevent you from feeling ill, but aren’t yet sure if  you could still harbor the virus and transmit it to others.

Remember: When in doubt, ask a doctor. And don’t believe everything you see online.

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