It's more important than ever to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to protect yourself, your loved ones, and help bring the pandemic to an end. However, there is still a lot of misinformation floating around about the COVID-19 vaccine. As such, we want to make sure everyone gets the correct, truthful information about the vaccine.
To help encourage folks to get vaccinated and ease their concerns about the vaccine, we dispelled 8 vaccine myths in our previous blog. Here are seven more vaccine myths, debunked.
COVID-19 Vaccine Myths vs. Facts
1. I already had COVID-19, so I don't need the vaccine.
Fact: Just because you were infected with the COVID-19 virus does not protect you from getting reinfected--even after being very ill with COVID-19. The CDC recommends that someone recovering from COVID-19 should get the COVID-19 vaccine 90 days after being infected.
2. I should wait for a vaccine that is more effective.
Fact: Every authorized COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. There is no preference, and the goal is to have everyone vaccinated. Additionally, if you wait for some other vaccine to be developed, you could risk getting infected with COVID-19 in the meantime. It's important to get vaccinated for your health and the health of those around you.
3. We don't know what's in the COVID-19 vaccine, so it isn't safe.
Fact: Actually, we do know what are in COVID-19 vaccines, because scientists created them. In fact, the technology used to make the vaccines is not new. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are mRNA vaccines, which have been used for decades now.
For example, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine contains the following ingredients: messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), lipids (SM-102, polyethylene glycol [PEG] 200 dimyristoyl glycerol [DMG], cholesterol, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC]), tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, acetic acid, sodium acetate, and sucrose.
You can read what ingredients are in each vaccine here.
4. The vaccines were developed using fetal tissue.
Fact: This is absolutely untrue. Fetal tissue was not used, ever, to create the COVID-19 vaccines.
5. The COVID-19 vaccine will cause serious side effects such as allergic reactions.
Fact: While some vaccine clinical trial participants reported side effects similar to those experienced with other vaccines, a severe allergic reaction is extremely rare. After getting the vaccine, some people report some short-term symptoms like muscle pain, chills, fever, and headache. These are indicators that your immune system is responding to the vaccine and working to protect you.
It's possible some people can have a severe allergic reaction to some of the ingredients used in a vaccine. As such, experts recommend anyone with a history of severe allergic reactions, like anaphylaxis, should not get the vaccine.
6. People with suppressed immune systems or have underlying health conditions should not get vaccinated.
Fact: Anyone with a suppressed immune system or has underlying health conditions should definitely get vaccinated since they are at a higher risk of becoming very ill from COVID-19. Again, the vaccine does not contain a live virus and is meant to help your immune system learn how to protect against the virus. If you have concerns about any underlying conditions you have, such as diabetes or heart disease, be sure to reach out to your doctor.
7. I'm undocumented and if I get the vaccine I will get deported.
Fact: This is not true. Not only is the vaccine free to everyone, but no ID is required to get the vaccine. You also will not be asked about your immigration status.
Information for this blog is derived from the CDC and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
How Apicha CHC Can Help You
At Apicha CHC, we offer the COVID-19 vaccine to everyone and anyone. We also provide COVID-19 testing. To get vaccinated against COVID-19, visit our website to request an appointment here, or call 212.334.6029.
