COVID-19 vaccine myths and misinformation
The volume of misinformation and disinformation that has accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented, thanks in part to the new technologies and social media platforms that are available. This includes a large amount of false information being circulated by members of the anti-vaccine community in response to the development of COVID-19 vaccines. We are including below some of the myths that have been circulating about the vaccine below along with the information that debunks them. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit:
Vaccine myth: The m-RNA Covid-19 vaccine will alter the body’s genetic make-up
No. The vaccine is made up of lipid mRNA nanoparticles. These do not enter the host’s cell nucleus (where our DNA is stored) and so will not change the host’s genetic makeup. These nanoparticles are broken down by the body after a few days.
Vaccine myth: Covid-19 vaccines are made from foetal cells
The vaccines that have reached Phase 3 trials were not created with and do not require the use of foetal cell cultures in the production process.
Vaccine myth: More people will die as a result of a negative side effect to the COVID-19 vaccine than would die from the virus.
Fact: A claim circulating on social media is that the COVID-19 mortality rate is 1%–2% and that people should not be vaccinated against a virus with a high survival rate. However, a 1% mortality rate is 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu. In addition, the mortality rate can vary widely based on age, sex and underlying health conditions.
In contrast, clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines have shown only short-term mild or moderate vaccine reactions that resolve without complication or injury.
While some people who receive the vaccine may develop symptoms as their immune system responds, this is common when receiving any vaccine, and these symptoms are not considered serious or life-threatening. And you cannot become infected with COVID-19 from COVID-19 vaccines. These are inactivated vaccines, not live-virus vaccines.
Vaccine Myth: COVID-19 vaccines were developed to control the population through microchip tracking or "nanotransducers" in the human brain.
There is no vaccine microchip, and the vaccine will not track people or gather personal information into a database.
This myth started after comments made by Bill Gates from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation about a digital certificate of vaccine records. The technology he was referencing is not a microchip, has not been implemented in any manner and is not tied to the development, testing or distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccine Myth: COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility or miscarriage.
No, COVID-19 vaccines have not been linked to infertility or miscarriage.
A sophisticated disinformation campaign has been circulating online, claiming that antibodies to the spike protein of COVID-19 produced from these vaccines will bind to placental proteins and prevent pregnancy. This disinformation is thought to originate from internet postings by a former scientist known to hold anti-vaccine views.
These postings are not scientifically plausible, as COVID-19 infection has not been linked to infertility. Also, no other viral infection or vaccination-inducing immunity by similar mechanisms has been shown to cause infertility. Antibodies to the spike protein have not been linked to infertility after COVID-19 infection. There is no scientific reason to believe this will change after vaccination for COVID-19. While there are no formal studies, the best evidence comes from women who got sick with COVID-19 while pregnant. While data clearly indicate pregnant women are at higher risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19 infection, there is no evidence of increased miscarriage rates.
During natural infection, the immune system generates the same antibodies to the spike protein that COVID-19 vaccines would. Thus, if COVID-19 affected fertility, there already would be an increase in miscarriage rates in women infected with COVID-19. This has not happened.
Vaccine Myth: COVID-19 vaccines must be stored at extremely low temperatures because of preservatives in the vaccines.
Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna have reported that their vaccines contain no preservatives.
Different vaccines have different storage requirements. For instance, Comirnaty (the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine) must be stored at minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 70 degrees Celsius), while Moderna has said that its vaccine needs to be stored at minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 20 degrees Celsius). Both of these vaccines are mRNA vaccines. mRNA is fragile and can break down easily. Storing mRNA vaccines, like these COVID-19 vaccines, in an ultracold environment keeps them stable and safe. The vaccines are thawed before injection following a standard procedure.
For further information or queries:
A Covid 19 vaccine helpline 145 has been set up as well as an email address covid-vaccine@gov.mt
Acknowledgement
The input from members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Policy and Public Health Response Team is gratefully acknowledged
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