Health care providers today are faced with a dual challenge: combating the spread of COVID-19 and combating the spread of misinformation about COVID-19. Before you share (or believe) something you read, make sure that the information is accurate.
Here are some of the false statements being circulated, along with factual, evidence-based information that dispels some of the misinformation.
Myth #1: mRNA vaccines alter your DNA.
This is NOT true.
Your body makes many types of mRNA. mRNA is like a recipe card for your cells, telling them how to create the proteins your body needs. Once the mRNA recipe is read, the body quickly breaks it down. Same is true for mRNA vaccines. The vaccine gives your body the recipe for a protein found on COVID-19. Once the protein is created, the mRNA vaccine is quickly broken down. The new protein triggers an immune response which trains your immune system to fight the virus. If you’re later exposed to COVID-19, your immune system is able to quickly respond. Neither the mRNA vaccine nor the protein it creates remain in your system. Your DNA is stored in a separate part of the cell called the nucleus. The mRNA vaccine never enters the nucleus and never comes into contact with your DNA.
Source: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/therapy/mrnavaccines/
Myth #2: COVID vaccines affect fertility or pregnancy.
This is NOT true.
The experts in fertility, obstetrics, and gynecology have examined how the COVID vaccines work and reviewed data from tens of thousands of reporting individuals, and have reached a consensus that COVID vaccines do not have an effect on fertility. In addition, there is increased risk of severe outcomes, including death, for both a mother and fetus if the mother becomes infected with COVID-19. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) strongly recommend vaccination for pregnant women and women who want to become pregnant.
Myth #3: The mRNA technology wasn't thoroughly tested.
This is NOT true.
Using mRNA as a mechanism for treating illness has been in development since 1985. Moderna began working on creating vaccines from mRNA in 2010, and BioNTech/Pfizer began in 2013. Other mRNA delivered drugs were already in use in humans long before COVID-19 existed. It is because this technology already existed and had been researched and tested for years that the COVID-19 vaccines were able to be made so quickly. Testing was done as fast as possible because of the pandemic, but none of the steps in the testing or approval process were skipped. Billions of people have now received a COVID-19 vaccine and their response to it has been closely monitored by scientists around the world. This now makes it the most thoroughly tested vaccine ever developed. All of that testing has shown the vaccines are safe and extremely effective at preventing hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
Myth #4: Vaccinated people are just as likely to spread COVID.
This is NOT true.
Vaccinated individuals can still be infected with COVID-19, and if they get infected they can spread it to others. However, vaccinated individuals appear to spread the virus for a shorter period of time. Furthermore, a vaccinated person is over five times less likely to become infected than someone who is not vaccinated. Both of these factors mean someone who is vaccinated is much less likely to spread COVID-19 than someone who is unvaccinated. Of note, the risk of hospitalization and death is over 10 times greater if you are not vaccinated. This has been true nationally as well as at Holland Hospital. Since vaccinated people can still catch and spread COVID-19, it is recommended that everyone wear a mask in indoor public places and crowded outdoor venues.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/health-departments/breakthrough-cases.html
These are just a few examples of false claims that are being circulated related to COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccines. Before you share any health related information with others, please take the time to confirm its accuracy. We all want nothing more than to see this pandemic come to an end. Arming yourself and others with the best information we have, and defending against misinformation that puts more people at risk, is necessary for us to get there.