False information spreads like wildfire and ever since Covid-19 vaccines became accessible in India, the overspread of myths and misinformation also became very common.
The diffusion of wrong information and health myths is not a new phenomenon in the age of social media. The fear about the safety of the vaccine is understandable as the times are very unpredictable but it is also our responsibility to cross-check every received information and not believe anything blindly.
Here are some of the most famous myths which resulted in a panic amongst the public but are not true at all.
Myth 1: The Covid-19 vaccine is not safe as it got developed too fast.
Many people around the world have this misconception that they’re being used as an experiment because the vaccines were rushed and are too new. This is absolutely wrong as Covid-19 vaccines have gone through the same diligent Food and Drug Administration process as other vaccines and have met all safety standards. Also, we should appreciate the worldwide collaboration for the development of vaccines so fast.
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Myth 2: The Covid-19 vaccine has dreadful side effects like allergic reactions.
Although some members of the vaccine clinical trials did complain of the regular side effects similar to that of other vaccines like headache, fever or muscle pain, assuming that covid-19 vaccines have dreadful side effects is wrong. People might very rarely suffer from serious allergic reactions or other aftereffects due to the ingredients used in the vaccine. This is also the reason why scientists, doctors and other professionals have suggested people with prior history of severe allergic reactions to skip the vaccination.
Myth 3: The Covid-19 vaccine can cause infertility.
This spread of misinformation suggested that the vaccine attacks a protein present in the placenta which can cause infertility whereas the fact is, there’s an amino acid sequence shared between the placental protein and spike protein which is too short to affect fertility. In simpler terms, it’s even more important to get vaccinated for somebody who’s trying to get pregnant amidst the pandemic as the consequences of suffering from the virus can be far more severe than expected.
As a matter of fact, many women involved in the vaccine trials have conceived after taking the vaccine which proves that infertility is not a cause of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Myth 4: The Covid-19 vaccine can lead to miscarriage.
The myth is equally inaccurate as the infertility myth and arose from quite a similar spread of misinformation. So many women have given birth to perfectly healthy babies even after getting vaccinated and this also includes the women involved in the trials. Even though all the vaccines are being offered to pregnant women but in case of complications, the vaccination can be skipped till the completion of the third month.
Myth 5: The Covid-19 vaccination is not required after being diagnosed with the virus.
Evidence shows that the immunity we get after getting infected with the virus only lasts for two months while the immunity from the vaccination lasts for a longer time. So even if one has already suffered from the virus, they might be vulnerable again.
There have also come to exist multiple variants of the virus and if you have contracted the virus once, it’s going to provide you immunity from that particular variant and not others; whereas the vaccine minimises the risk from a variety of variants.
So, it’s equally important for everybody to get vaccinated.
Myth 6: So many people have died of the Covid-19 vaccine already.
The international centres of Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting Systems (VAERS) and Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) accepts reports of all type of health problems occurring after the vaccination and also the ones from the general public. However, this report does not mean that vaccination is the cause of these health problems or even death.
Professionals have also mentioned that millions and billions of people are getting vaccinated all around the world and unfortunately, some of them are dying because of reasons unlinked to their body’s response to the vaccine.
Another important fact is, more than thirty lac people have died all around the world suffering from the Coronavirus and this only indicates- the virus in itself has a far more fatal scenario.
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Myth 7: The Covid-19 vaccine can change your DNA.
This isn’t even possible. The Covid-19 vaccines only reach your cell’s cytoplasm and not the nucleus where the DNA is located. The vaccine gets broken down once it reaches your cell and delivers the vaccine to your cell’s mechanism. In any case of the Covid-19 vaccines, the cell’s DNA is not altered in any manner.
Myth 8: Wearing a mask is not required after getting vaccinated.
All of us need to understand that the vaccine only protects us from getting severely sick and not from getting infected or transmitting the virus to others. Following all the precautions like wearing masks and washing hands is still equally significant.
Myth 9: The Covid-19 vaccine is unsafe during menstruation.
As verified by the government, this is just a myth and it’s evidently safe to get vaccinated during menstruation.
Myth 10: The Covid-19 vaccine will insert a microchip or a tracking device into your body.
This is one of the most bizarre rumours spread about the vaccine. The electronic immunization records only help the physicians and the patients track the vaccine they have taken. The vaccines do not include any electronic components. Also, the salts, lipids, and other stabilizing agents used in the vaccine are routinely used in all other medicines and have nothing to do with a tracking device or any other privacy matters.
Myth 11: The Covid-19 vaccine can itself cause Coronavirus or more prone to getting the virus.
One can not contract the novel coronavirus because of the Covid-19 vaccine as it doesn’t contain the live virus. However, it is possible to get the infection before vaccination or the duration when the vaccine still had to fully protect your body.
Myth 12: The Covid-19 vaccine puts you at a greater to get sick from other diseases.
There is no such evidence that shows that getting vaccinated increases your risks to suffer from other infections.
Myth 13: It’s not appropriate to donate blood after vaccination.
People can undoubtedly donate blood till they’re showing no symptoms of illness and feeling fit. As assured by the medical authorities, there is no certain waiting period for the eligibility to donate blood after vaccination.
Myth 14: It’s not safe to have sex right before or after taking the Covid-19 vaccine.
There are absolutely no effects of vaccination on the sexual life of an individual or vice versa. However, it’s better to avoid unprotected sex for a few weeks after vaccination.
Myth 15: Consumption of alcohol before or after getting vaccinated.
It’s best to avoid the intake of alcohol post-vaccination as the general mild reactions can inflate. However, there are no proofs that alcohol reduces the antibody production or the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine.
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