#PINNED: Busting COVID-19 vaccine myths

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We are clinging to the country’s hope of achieving herd immunity. How can that happen, when fake news and conspiracy theories circulate social media, scaring the very people who need the COVID-19 vaccine?

As a continuous supply of vaccines enters our borders, it’s important to utilize every dose for every Filipino. There’s no room for hesitation about getting vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine is proven safe and effective through scientific research and methods that have been practiced for decades.

So, what are the most common misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine? We’re here to debunk them for you, to ease your worries and protect yourself and your family from severe infection.

Vaccines do not work

This may be the number one reason you don’t want to get vaccinated. Cue the anti-vaxxers!

Remember that vaccines were used to cure deadly illnesses like polio, smallpox, or even measles. These are only treated through the help of vaccines.

Isn’t it that your pediatrician requires you to bring your baby for a polio and measle shot after they’re born? Or the very same reason you get a routine flu shot every year.

We’ll just leave this here. You are probably saying “oh yeah,” because vaccines do work.

There is a microchip inside the COVID-19 vaccine

A myth that made our top ten most ridiculous things a person can say.

This conspiracy theory originated from the United States targeting Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates, and big pharmaceutical companies saying that they planned and inserted a microchip in the COVID-19 vaccine to help control the virus.

A fact-check report by BBC News said that there is no evidence on claims that there are trackable microchips in the vaccines. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also released a statement saying that the allegations are false.

A similar fact-check was published by well-renowned news media agency Reuters, on a photo that went viral—a microchip developed by Columbia University engineers. The report said that the photo has no relation to the COVID-19 vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine will make you magnetic

No, the vaccine won’t turn you into Magneto. If you know anyone who has gotten both of their doses, try sticking a car key to their body. But again, this is false.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the COVID-19 vaccine does not contain any magnetic components such as iron, nickel, cobalt, lithium, rare earth metals, or any manufactured products that can produce electromagnetic fields within your system.

The COVID-19 vaccine will make you infertile

There is no evidence that the vaccine will affect your plans of having a baby in the future.

Studies have shown that pregnant women infected with COVID-19 were able to develop antibodies, which will also protect the offspring from infection, as the antibodies pass through the placenta.

The COVID-19 vaccine works the same way. If you’re pregnant, it’s advisable to get vaccinated. This will help your baby develop antibodies before your due date.

If you’re in your post-pregnancy stage and are already vaccinated, the same antibodies that are protecting you can protect your baby when you breastfeed. There is a large secretion of antibodies in breastfeeding that is good for up to six weeks after vaccination.

You are required to get the COVID-19 vaccine

Getting vaccinated is not mandated by law. But for your piece of mind, why not right? If you do care about the people around you and want things to go back to normal, this is definitely the next step to ending the pandemic.

However, it is highly advisable that senior citizens, with comorbidities, and those who are pregnant, should get vaccinated as these groups are more susceptible to COVID-19.

The vaccine guarantees that you will not get COVID-19

The vaccine does not guarantee that you won’t be infected with the virus. It lessens the severity of the case, making symptoms mild or even asymptomatic. This will decrease near death situations, which we all want to avoid.

When getting your vaccine, whether it’s the first or second dose, these are the side effects you need to look out for. This is conveniently printed at the back of your vaccination card to make sure everyone is well informed.

• Swelling of the injection site
• Itchiness
• Rashes
• Fever
• Bodyache
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weakness

It’s completely normal to experience side effects. For us, it’s a way of the vaccine saying that it’s working its way into our system.

We hope that things are crystal clear now that we’ve answered some of your mind lingering questions. Do spread the word, as we are on the road to zero!

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Aimee Lontok is a journalist who aims to create an escape for those who need a break from the real world and want to indulge in stories they want to read.