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Many people are concerned about whether the vaccines against the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), developed in record time, are safe enough and whether possible side effects have been sufficiently studied. Vaccination is a mechanism aimed at creating immune protection against any vaccine-preventable infection. Through vaccination, we achieve the creation of immune protection in the vaccinated person. In addition, mass immunization creates so-called herd immunity. Vaccination of 75% of the organization's employees with immunobiological preparations leads to the elimination of epidemic foci of infectious diseases in teams.

Myths about the coronavirus vaccine. How to stop being afraid of vaccinations?

Vaccination against coronavirus infection, unfortunately, has given rise to a lot of myths. There are often cases when a person blindly believes negative information from social networks, avoiding reliable data. The reasons for refusing vaccination include fear of developing cancer, infertility, the occurrence of gene mutations and microchipping. Meanwhile, a successful fight against the pandemic is only possible if the majority of the population is vaccinated in order to create “herd immunity.” Let's look at the most common myths associated with the current vaccination campaign. From the point of view of modern science and technology, they are completely untenable.

Myth 1. The vaccine causes cancer. To cause cancer, one of the components of the vaccine must integrate into human DNA and damage the gene responsible for protecting cells from degeneration. Current COVID-19 vaccines do not contain components with these capabilities. Therefore, the vaccine cannot cause the development of cancer.

Myth 2. The vaccine changes the structure of DNA. The myth that vector vaccines can insert their genome into human DNA and cause mutations arose at the beginning of the vaccination campaign. But, despite the fact that the adenoviruses that make up the vaccines contain DNA, they do not have enzymes that can integrate this DNA into the human genome.

Myth 3. Vaccination leads to infertility. The vaccine components do not penetrate the cells from which sperm or eggs develop. This means that vaccination does not in any way affect a person’s reproductive function.

Myth 4. We are microchipped through vaccination. Currently, implantable microsensors are being developed around the world. But creating an implantable chip that can control a person’s consciousness and at the same time would be so small that it would freely fit into the hole of a syringe needle is a matter of the distant future.

Myth 5. The coronavirus mutates, so vaccination is useless. Vaccination creates artificial immunity that is stronger than natural immunity due to the production of more antibodies. They are enough to protect the body from new strains. Vaccines allow you to avoid infection with COVID-19 or suffer from it in a milder form without developing possible consequences and complications.

Myth 6: Vaccines were developed too quickly. We cannot be sure of their safety. COVID-19 vaccines were developed quickly compared to previous vaccines, as scientists, doctors and government agencies around the world poured enormous amounts of resources into cutting through bureaucratic hurdles and publishing results as soon as they were available.

Myth 7. Vaccination will make me sick. The vaccine contains neither live nor inactivated elements of the virus that can cause COVID-19. Getting the vaccine will not test positive for active COVID-19 infection. After vaccination, a person may experience so-called post-vaccination reactions: fever, pain at the injection site, weakness, headache and muscle pain. Not everyone experiences them; these reactions are individual. But if they occur, this is normal and indicates that the body is developing its own defense system against the virus.

Myth 8. The natural formation of immunity is safer than acquiring it through vaccination. The strength of natural immunity formed after an illness varies from person to person. Natural immunity can be short-lived and unstable. Developing immunity through vaccination carries fewer risks than developing it naturally, as it is impossible to predict the severity of symptoms if you are infected with COVID-19. It is expected that after vaccination, at least 60% of the population will be provided with so-called “herd immunity,” which will mean a very low probability of further spread of the virus. If you wait until this level is reached naturally, without vaccinating the population, COVID-19 will persist much longer.

Make the right choice! Get vaccinated!