COVID-19 Vaccine Myths Debunked

There are currently two Covid-19 vaccines that have received FDA authorization in the United States: the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The U.S. has already purchased 100 million doses of each vaccine. Widespread vaccination coupled with social distancing and mask-wearing is the best way to end the pandemic and return to normal. 

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, which is making many people hesitant to receive it. While getting the COVID-19 vaccine is a personal choice, it is important to have accurate information when making that decision. 

In this article, we debunk several myths regarding the safety of the vaccine and highlight some important Covid vaccine facts. See our article Is The COVID-19 Vaccine Safe for more information on this topic with input from medical doctors. 

Myth: There are severe side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Truth: Although some recipients of the vaccine have experienced reactions, almost all side effects are short-lived and mild. Early studies of the Pfizer vaccine demonstrated that about 15% of people developed short-lived symptoms at the site of injection and 50% of people developed system reactions that consisted primarily of headaches, chills, fatigue, muscle pain, or fever. These Covid-19 vaccine side effects are all normal and indicate that your immune system is responding to the vaccine to prevent future infections. 

Myth: There are long-term side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Truth: Nobody has had the vaccine for more than 8 months, so the honest answer is that we don’t know yet. People that receive the vaccine are encouraged to report any strange symptoms they might experience, and scientists are actively tracking unusual disease patterns in vaccinated populations. The primary ingredients in the vaccines are mRNA, sugars, salt, and cholesterol. These are all naturally occurring chemicals in the body and are not expected to cause any adverse reactions or effects in the long term.