The COVID-19 pandemic has become one of the greatest global health crises of modern times. As the virus was first discovered and began to spread, the world was plunged into chaos, and efforts are still ongoing to bring the pandemic under some degree of control as countries attempt to return to some kind of normality.
Tragically, countless lives have been lost to the virus and many other people have been directly or indirectly affected, either suffering symptoms themselves, losing a loved one, or struggling with other consequences like the loss of a job or mental health issues as a result of being forced into lockdown and cooped up in their homes for many weeks and months.
Now, as vaccine rollouts begin across the globe, levels of hope and optimism for a brighter future are beginning to rise. Vaccines represent the best form of defense we have against the spread of the virus, but with misinformation rife online, many myths and conspiracy theories have started to form, and some people aren’t sure what to believe. Let’s take a look at some common COVID-19 myths.
Vaccines Make People Sick
This is false. Vaccines are specifically designed to make sure that you don’t get sick. Since they typically involve injecting your body with weakened material from the virus, it’s only natural that you may experience mild symptoms as your body responds to this change. However, serious side effects from vaccines are incredibly rare.
The Flu Vaccine Is Enough to Protect Against COVID-19
It would be convenient if the flu vaccine could protect against COVID-19, and while there are some similarities between the flu and COVID in terms of symptoms, they’re caused by completely different viruses. The flu vaccine will therefore not give you protection against coronavirus. It’s important to get both of these vaccines, especially for elderly people.
Vaccines Contain Microchips
This is one of the more bizarre conspiracy theories floating around during the pandemic, with some people suggesting that microchips are being inserted into vaccines to track and control people. There’s no truth or evidence to this claim whatsoever, and many scientists and experts in the field of technology have completely debunked the idea, suggesting that not only is it untrue, but it’s also impossible.
The Vaccine Is Unsafe Because It Was Developed Too Quickly
Many people worry that the new COVID vaccines have arrived so quickly that they couldn’t possibly have undergone sufficient testing. Again, this is not false. This pandemic is a very unique situation. It demanded urgency, and so various pharmaceutical companies and research labs poured all of their efforts into working on these vaccines and testing them. The proper studies and safety reviews have been conducted and the FDA has approved the COVID-19 vaccine for seniors in line with its regular standards of quality and safety.
It’s Better to Wait Until the End of the Pandemic
Some people feel that they could just wait until the pandemic is over, delaying the need for a vaccine. However, the fact of the matter is that the virus is expected to remain with us for a very long time, and the vaccine is the only real method we have to actually bring case numbers down. If everyone decided to wait it out, nobody would get vaccinated and infection numbers would remain high.
Vaccines Are Toxic
There’s a common misconception about the concept of toxicity. Anything can be toxic, if the dose is high enough. Even something as pure and essential as water can cause damage and become toxic in high quantities. So to suggest that the virus is toxic on its own doesn’t really make sense. It may contain certain ingredients that could be toxic in much larger quantities, but everything is carefully measured to be as safe as possible.
If I’m Careful, I Don’t Need a Vaccine
Perhaps you’ve been able to avoid COVID up to this point through smart safety measures like wearing masks, keeping your distance from others, and washing your hands. However, the chances of naturally avoiding the virus forever are very slim. Getting the vaccine gives you real protection against infection, as well as reducing the risk of you spreading the virus to others too. It’s not just about protecting yourself, but about protecting your entire community.
Final Word
There are a lot of falsehoods going around about the coronavirus vaccines, and hopefully, this article has helped to dispel some of the most common myths. It’s important for everyone to understand the benefits of this vaccine and play their part in helping to put an end to the pandemic at last.
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