Five Facts About the COVID-19 Vaccine

Across the world, millions of people have had COVID 19 vaccines through the various vaccination drives in different countries. Vaccines continue to be our hope to end this pandemic. 

Although there are so many positive talks on vaccination, some people still feel hesitant about getting the vaccination. This might be due to the spread of misinformation about COVID 19 vaccines. Let us discuss more about these vaccines to understand how safe they are and why you should consider getting vaccinated.

Here are some facts about the covid 19 vaccines;

Fact 1: CDC and WHO recommend the vaccines and the FDA has authorized the vaccines for emergency use, helps build immunity against COVID-19

Around the world, there is an active vaccination drive going on. Researchers have found that these vaccines are efficient against the coronavirus. Even if people contract the infection post-vaccination, the severity is significantly less, and they are getting cured in home isolation.

There is some misinformation regarding the vaccines, but the available data says all vaccines are safe. They work towards building an efficient immune system. 

Here is a list of WHO, FDA approved vaccines:

All the vaccines mentioned above are generally considered safe, though their mechanisms differ that helps develop herd immunity. 

These mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines are of new technology. It delivers a small piece of genetic material from the SARS CoV-2 virus to the host cell in the body. This is very important as it gives instructions to cells for making copies of SARS CoV-2 spike proteins.

These proteins stimulate your immune response, produce antibodies and help memory cells to recognize and respond if the body is infected with the virus. Pfizer and Moderna use mRNA technology in their vaccine development (1) (2) (3).

Vector vaccines are made with different techniques when compared with mRNA vaccines. Both the vaccines instruct the human cells to make SAR COV-2 spike protein. In this vaccine, the genetic material of SARS CoV-2 is carried in the harmless adenovirus vectors. These vectors are absolutely harmless; once they enter the cell, they instruct the human cells to make spike proteins, which stimulate your immune response and produce antibodies (4) (5) (6).

Hence, all the vaccines help stimulate the individuals’ immunity; this helps to build herd immunity, which may ultimately end the pandemic.

Fact 2: COVID 19 Vaccines will not Cause Coronavirus Infection

Most of you must have heard the myth that vaccination can cause COVID. You have to understand the way vaccines work; the traditional vaccine contains an attenuated or an inactive form of virus so that the body develops antibodies against the infection. 

Vaccination is a method where without experiencing the full symptoms of the disease, your immune system develops antibodies, remembers, and protects you against the infection in the future. This means your body has developed an immunity against the disease.

The vaccine does not cause any infection or disease because they do not contain an active virus or live virus to cause the infection; they are designed to stimulate the immune system. The vaccine needs two to three weeks after the first dose to develop the antibodies (7).

Fact 3: Blood Clots After COVID-19 Vaccination is Rare

Currently, reports are showing a link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots. It is a rare type of blood clot called CVT(cerebral venous thrombosis), which happens with low blood platelets. Many scientists across the globe are researching this.

However, blood clot incidents are extremely rare in people who have taken the AstraZeneca vaccine. Patients with COVID-19 are at a higher risk of CVT than vaccinated people. According to the university of oxford;

• 4 out of 1 million reports blood clots after a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine
• 5 out of 1 million reports blood clots  after an AstraZeneca vaccine
• 39 out of 1 million reports blood clot after COVID-19 infection

You might be at a higher risk of developing blood clots with COVID infection than from the vaccine. The benefits that these vaccines offer far outweigh the potential risk (8) (9).

If you have any health condition that increases the chances of having blood clots, consult your health professional before taking the vaccine. Your doctor may recommend medications to avoid blood clots.

Fact 4: It is Safe to get Vaccinated During Pregnancy

If you are planning for a child now or in the near future, you can get COVID vaccination. Currently, there is no evidence showing any adverse effects of COVID vaccines on pregnancy, including on the development of the placenta. Vaccines do not cause any fertility issues.

However, only a few pregnant women have been administered COVID 19 vaccines when compared to the general population. This means we have limited data currently; hence, the government is taking utmost precautions while offering vaccines to pregnant women. 

Currently, in countries like the UK and the USA, pregnant women have been offered vaccines simultaneously with other individuals of similar age. Presently Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are considered safe during pregnancy. This is because other vaccines have less data about their safety during pregnancy (10).

You can talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns; with the available data, COVID 19 vaccines are absolutely safe for pregnant women.

Fact 5: Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines are Mild

COVID-19 vaccines do not cause any symptoms in healthy individuals; mild symptoms are observed, including arm pain and fatigue; rare side effects include flu-like symptoms.

Having mild symptoms is common in vaccinations. These side effects are due to a sudden trigger caused in your immune system to make it active; this response can be similar to having a mild form of infection.

If you have had certain allergies in the past, talk to your doctor before taking a vaccine. COVID vaccine side effects have been studied carefully during the clinical trials and are considered mild.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) checks all the data from the clinical trials; the side effects are well studied from what the people during trials. Once all the checks have been done, MHRA approves the vaccine for a large drive.

Few other important facts on vaccines include;

1. None of the approved vaccines contain animal products. You can check out the ingredients on the coronavirus yellowcard website (11).
2. Even if you have COVID-19 antibodies, you must take the vaccination. This is because the vaccine offers high-level protection against the virus for a long duration. 
3. You must follow all the COVID protocols, such as wearing a mask, maintaining social distance, and using hand sanitizers even after your vaccination. Until everyone has developed herd immunity, you should follow the covid guidelines and avoid unnecessary travel. 
4. Covid 19 vaccines will not change your DNA; the mRNA or vector vaccine only stimulates your immune system to prepare the antibodies. They do not affect your DNA.

Final Words

Vaccination is the only hope to end the pandemic. With the available data, we can say vaccines are completely safe. Vaccines provide highly efficient protection against COVID-19 infection.