The virus that causes the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), that has come to be known as COVID-19, spread quickly around the world through 2020. Millions of individuals have been infected with the virus, which has caused approximately 38 lakh deaths. Researchers have been working nonstop to produce effective COVID vaccines, which were made available to the public in December 2020. Different vaccines are now available in various countries. The New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, which were notified in March 2019, govern clinical studies and the clearance of new drugs, including vaccines, in India. The SEC approved two COVID vaccines for use in the country as an emergency measure. These were Covaxin, a local vaccine made by Bharat Biotech and Covishield, a vaccine created by the Serum Institute of India from the Oxford-AstraZeneca master seed (SII). Recently, Sputnik V, the Russian COVID-19 vaccine has also been approved. Unfortunately, a lot of misinformation has circulated about COVID vaccines and their production. It’s critical to distinguish between COVID vaccine myths and facts to be more confident while getting the vaccine. We want to make sure that our patients have all of the information they need to make informed decisions about their health. That’s why we’re debunking some of the most popular COVID vaccine myths.

COVID Vaccine Myth 1: The COVID vaccine can result in a COVID-19 infection or after the COVID vaccine, I will be immune to COVID-19 and only one COVID vaccine shot is enough for that.

Truth: COVID-19 cannot be contracted after receiving the COVID vaccine, as a result of the COVID vaccine. Covishield stimulates human cells to generate antigens using a bioengineered variant of a harmless common-cold virus found in chimps, Covaxin is an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine candidate that utilizes Alhydroxiquim-II as an adjuvant to improve immune response and provide longer-lasting immunity and Sputnik V is made up of two distinct adenoviruses (Ad26 and Ad5) – viruses that cause common cold. Those who get vaccinated may experience transient side effects such as pain and swelling at the injection site, muscle or joint aches, moderate fever, weariness, and headache—all of which are indicators that the COVID vaccine is working! Also, after immunization, the body needs a few weeks to build immunity against the virus. About a week after the second dose of the vaccine, people should be protected against COVID-19. However, doctors worldwide highly recommend continuing to wear masks, wash your hands, and socially distance until a sufficient proportion of people are immune. People who have been fully vaccinated should also continue to wear masks even when they meet with other completely vaccinated people.

COVID Vaccine Myth 2: The COVID vaccine is unsafe because it was developed so quickly.

Truth: It takes a lot of effort to develop a vaccine in less than a year. Cutting-edge research has gone into the development of the COVID vaccine. The vaccines that have been approved are proven to be safe and effective. They went through the same rigorous development and approval procedures as previous vaccines, meeting all safety standards, despite being developed in a short span of time. There were no steps that were skipped. Global collaboration and investment, although unprecedented, has to be applauded for the COVID vaccines’ development being completed in less time. Clinical studies and safety reviews took about the same length of time as they did for other vaccines.

COVID Vaccine Myth 3: The COVID vaccine renders people sterile.

Truth: Misinformation on social media suggests that the COVID vaccine causes the body to target syncytin-1, a protein found in the placenta, which can cause infertility in women. The truth is that the spike protein and the placental protein share an amino acid sequence; nevertheless, researchers say it’s too short to cause an immune response and hence has no effect on fertility. Hence, COVID vaccines are not believed to raise the risk of infertility, first or second-trimester loss, stillbirth, or congenital abnormalities because they are not generated from a live virus. However, if you’re pregnant with pre-existing conditions and are worried about getting the vaccine, you can always consult your doctor.

COVID Vaccine Myth 4: COVID vaccine is not safe to get when you are menstruating.

Truth: There is not enough data or evidence to establish that COVID vaccines can affect your menstrual cycle. Millions of women have already received the vaccination, and no alarming side effects have been reported. We must also recognize that the menstrual cycle is a natural biological activity that does not reduce or limit your body’s immune response. Menstruation brings hormonal changes that may have a minor impact on how you respond to adverse effects or sickness. It does, however, have no effect on your immunity. Therefore it is safe to conclude that COVID vaccines do not affect your menstrual cycle. However, we are at a period where stress, mental strain, and worry are at an all-time high. Stress can cause changes in your period pattern, such as making it somewhat heavier, slightly irregular, or even missing it for a month.

COVID Vaccine Myth 5: The COVID vaccine has a micro-tracking chip.

Truth: A video that has been posted thousands of times on Facebook makes fraudulent claims about Apiject Systems of America, a syringe manufacturer, with a government contract to deliver medical-grade injectable devices for vaccinations. The company offers an extra version of its product that includes a microchip embedded in the syringe label, which allows providers to confirm the provenance of a vaccine dose. The chip is not injected into the person who is receiving the COVID vaccine. Consequently, the COVID vaccines include no components that can be traced. Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik are viral vector vaccines. These vaccines use a harmless virus to deliver specific protein subunits that trigger an immune response without causing disease. There is no microchip or traceability in proteins the vaccines produce. It is crucial to make an informed choice while you are making decisions related to your body. We hope this blog helped debunk some myths about the COVID vaccine. Apart from this, our doctors at SPARSH suggest that it is critical to get the vaccine from a registered healthcare provider and to follow all instructions carefully, including getting a second dose. If you are still uncertain about whether to take the COVID vaccine or not, you can talk to doctors at SPARSH Hospital and seek more clarity on COVID vaccine-related myths. SPARSH is well known for its facilities, professional doctors and nurses, and great patient-centered care. You can have all of your health concerns addressed with us at SPARSH, with comfort and trust in our specializations in a wide range of disciplines.