COVID-19 Vaccine Facts and Myths

The COVID-19 vaccine debate is a hot subject right now for many reasons. Accurate information is key to helping you feel good about getting this or any other vaccination.

Let’s get right to it.

• Myth: “Since the COVID-19 vaccine was made in record time, it can’t be safe.”

• Fact: The vaccines are available because science and health experts responded quickly to a global health crisis.

The process to find a vaccine for COVID-19 was a fast one, but not without maintaining standards for safety and efficacy, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Where it used to take months to figure out the genetic material of a virus, we now have tools that allow us to read this material within days. Worldwide collaboration and investment in developing a vaccine for COVID-19 have been unprecedented. The COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna were created using a method that has been in development for years, which allowed for a quick process.

• Myth: “The COVID-19 vaccine can give me COVID-19.”

• Fact: The vaccines that have been developed in the U.S. do NOT use the live virus.

There is nothing in the vaccines that can cause COVID-19. Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines use messenger ribonucleic acid or “mRNA” which is a carrier of instructions that are sent to your body about how to build a protein. The mRNA allowed for a faster approach than the traditional way vaccines are made. The bottom line is that this protein does not cause infection.

• Myth: “The COVID-19 vaccine will change my DNA.”

• Fact: The messenger RNA (mRNA) enters cells, but not the nucleus where DNA resides.

The vaccines that are available to us have been designed to assist the body’s immune system in fighting the coronavirus. The mRNA will not affect your genetic code and alter genes. In the case of COVID-19, the instructions are telling your body that it needs to make the spike protein that is on the coronavirus. Since proteins are solitary in your body, they do not reproduce, so the protein is recognized by your body’s immune system as “foreign” and develops it’s own antibodies used to destroy it. There is memory in the immune system which allows it to attack and get rid of the actual SARS-CoV-2 virus. This mRNA doesn’t stay in your body – it is broken down after it acts as a teacher to your body to fight the virus. The important fact here is that the mRNA never enters the nucleus of someone’s cells, so the vaccine does not interact with someone’s DNA at all, which means our genetic code is not altered.

Take a closer look at mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines here

• Myth: “The mRNA vaccines are made with aborted  fetal tissue.”

• Fact: Aborted fetal cells are in no way used to create the COVID-19 vaccines.

Note: This topic is a very sensitive one, which is why we strive to help you in your search for a well-informed decision about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Please discuss this topic with your primary care provider if you have any further questions about any of these facts.

Fetal cell lines were used by Pfizer and Moderna to perform what is called “confirmation tests” in order to ensure the vaccines work. Fetal cell lines are not the same as fetal tissue, but rather cells that are grown in a lab. The current fetal cell lines are thousands of generations removed from original fetal tissue from the 1970s.

In regards to the COVID-19 vaccines in development or production phases, fetal cell lines are not used in currently approved Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and they are not inside the injection a person receives.

• Myth: “The COVID-19 vaccine is equipped with a tracking device.”

• Fact: There is no microchip that is injected into a person’s body with a tracking device.

There has been a circulation of a debunked video online that states false claims about Apiject Systems of America and their syringes. The fact is that this company has a contract with the U.S. government for medical-grade injection devices for vaccines. There is an optional version of the device that comes equipped with a microchip on the syringe label. This microchip will allow your provider to confirm the vaccine dose origin. The actual microchip is absolutely not injected into a person who is receiving the vaccine.

• Myth: “The vaccine contains egg protein.”

• Fact: Some other vaccines are made with egg protein, but the coronavirus vaccine is not.

Most conventional vaccines may contain egg protein, but the coronavirus vaccine has no trace of eggs, nuts, or any food. There is no link to the claim by some social media and other media outlets that falsely report concerns of an egg allergy. The COVID-19 vaccine should be safe for those with egg allergies.

• Myth: “The COVID-19 vaccine will cause infertility in women.”

• Fact: The amino acid sequence is too short to trigger an immune response that would affect fertility.

According to the CDC, pregnant people with COVID-19 have an increased risk of severe illness. This includes illness that results in admission to the ICU, being placed on mechanical ventilation, and death compared to women who are not pregnant and of reproductive age. What we also know is that our bodies eliminate the mRNA particles used in the COVID-19 vaccine which are unlikely to reach the placenta.

There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems. If you are trying to become pregnant, you do not need to avoid pregnancy after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Again, please speak to your provider if you have any concerns about this.

• Myth: “I don’t need the vaccine because I’ve already had COVID-19.”

• Fact: The vaccination is encouraged even if you’ve had COVID-19 already.

We already know that someone who has had COVID-19 can be re-infected, although it is not common. Whether you’ve had had a mild infection of COVID-19, or a more severe case form, your immune system might not have enough antibodies formed. Because of this, vaccination is considered beneficial, even if you’ve had COVID-19 already.

• Myth: “I received my vaccine. I can stop wearing my mask now.”

• Fact: Wearing masks and other guidance is still necessary.

Continuing to follow current guidelines is important until levels of immunity have increased and the spread of the virus decreases. This includes wearing a mask, washing your hands, and social distancing. You can see more about the “3 Ws” at NCDHHS.

• Myth: “I’m not financially able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.”

• Fact: The vaccine is free for everyone.

Regardless of whether or not you have insurance or Medicare, the COVID-19 vaccine is given to the American people at no cost. If a vaccination provider decides to charge an administration fee for giving someone a shot, no one can be denied the vaccine if they are unable to pay the fee.

The mission of Compassion Health Care, Inc. is to “Provide excellent patient-centered healthcare to all.” Our vision is “Healthy people, healthy communities.” We take our mission and vision seriously and strive to keep our communities safe and well-informed so they can make the best decisions regarding their own health. CHC is open with set guidelines for patients and staff during the pandemic. Extra precautions have been put into place, such as a new touchless screening device at both locations as you enter the medical centers and a new air purification system at both of our locations.

Please call our Yanceyville location at 336-694-9331 or our Eden location at 336-864-2795 to find out more, or visit our patient registration page here to become a new patient.