The entire world is counting on the COVID-19 vaccine to help end the deadly infectious disease. For many people, the newly created vaccine is the light at the end of the tunnel for this pandemic.

As COVID-19 vaccines become available to more people, wide-spread participation and adoption is essential for ending the coronavirus pandemic.

Several recent polls indicate that more than half of Americans are likely to take the COVID-19 vaccine if it’s made available to them. The data also revealed that vaccine willingness correlated closely with education levels – those having higher degrees were more willing to become vaccinated.

With the remaining American population still showing some hesitancy, ongoing vaccine education and promotion is needed. Public health officials will play a large role in combating misconceptions about vaccine safety when speaking with patients – especially in the upcoming months. 

Amid the pandemic, there is now added pressure due to the healthcare industry facing fewer resources and massive staffing shortages. Even with these complications, the public’s trust in the COVID-19 vaccine is vital and will be pivotal in ending this pandemic. The public must stay highly knowledgeable about the new vaccine’s significance, especially as the new vaccine continues to evolve. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and health professionals worldwide have worked together to provide some answers to frequently misunderstood topics.   

COVID-19 Vaccine Myths & Facts 

Myth: The Vaccine Was Tested & Developed Too Quickly To Be Safe

Traditionally, it takes 5-10 years to design and produce a vaccine. Since the COVID-19 vaccine was made in record time, it is not safe.

Fact: Developing the SARS-COV-2 Vaccine Was a WorldWide Effort

Developing a new vaccine from scratch takes considerable time and effort. To best understand how a vaccine comes to fruition, it’s essential to know that there are two significant parts of vaccine creation before distribution: scientifically designing the vaccine and manufacturing a vaccine.

Part No. 1: Scientifically Designing the Vaccine

Designing and developing the COVID-19 vaccine was a global collaboration that required dedicated focus – unlike any in history.

Scientists and healthcare professionals worldwide halted all other research to share findings and focus simultaneously on finding a cure for COVID-19, which expedited the mRNA vaccine creation. A real example of what working together can accomplish.

Part No. 2: Funding & Administering the Vaccine

Like all other scientific advancements, funding is a crucial investment that helped to expedite COVID-19 vaccine distributions. Like scientists and healthcare professions collaborated, worldwide governments, transportation, and pharmaceutical industries collaborated to invest money and resources to distribute the vaccine quickly.

The focused efforts, scientifically and monetarily, allowed the mRNA vaccine to be produced in a shorter span of time.

Myth: The New mRNA Vaccine Is Not Safe

The COVID-19 vaccine is unsafe and has severe side effects.

Fact: Millions of Vaccine Doses Have Been Administered & Reported As Safe

According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines.

Some people don’t have any side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. However, many people will have mild side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.

Only those who have a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should not get either of the currently available mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC considers an allergic reaction severe when a person needs to be treated with epinephrine or EpiPen©, or resulted in a hospital visit.

Myth: Wearing A Mask Is Not Needed After Receiving The COVID-19 Vaccination

Many people believe that if they receive  both doses of the mRNA vaccine, they can stop wearing a mask in public spaces and around unvaccinated individuals.

Fact: Wearing A Mask Is Still Vital To Help Prevent The Spreading of COVID-19

The CDC does not yet know whether getting a COVID-19 vaccine will prevent someone from spreading the virus, even if they don’t get sick themselves, as further research is required. Therefore, it’s recommended to continue following social distancing guidelines, including wearing a mask until further notice. 

Myth: People Who Have Had COVID-19 and Recovered Don’t Need The Vaccine

Since I already had COVID-19, I don’t need to get vaccinated.  

Fact: It’s Unknown How Long COVID-19 Antibodies Stay In A Person’s System to Help Protect From The Virus

COVID-19 reinfection is possible. Therefore, a person should be vaccinated regardless of whether they have already had a COVID-19 infection. The immunity someone gains from having an infection, called “natural immunity,” varies from person to person.  

Myth: The COVID-19 Vaccine Can Make A Person Sick With COVID-19

If I take the mRNA vaccine, I can get COVID-19. 

Fact: The mRNA Does Not Contain Live Viruses and Can’t Infect Someone With COVID-19

The mRNA vaccine does not contain the live virus that causes COVID-19 and, therefore, cannot give someone COVID-19. Additionally, mRNA vaccines do not interact with a person’s DNA because the mRNA does not enter the cell’s nucleus.

Many vaccines like the influenza vaccine include a weakened or inactivated germ in our bodies, though the mRNA vaccine does not. Instead, once injected, the mRNA vaccine teaches our cells how to make protein to trigger an immune response inside our body, which produces antibodies to avoid infection of the coronavirus.

While mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine, they are not unknown. According to the CDC, researchers have been studying and working with mRNA vaccines for decades.

Myth: COVID-19 Vaccines Cause Infertility or Miscarriages 

If I want to have children in the future, I should not get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Fact: There Is No Evidence That Links COVID-19 To Infertility & Miscarriages

The CDC recommended that women who have COVID-19 have an increased risk of severe illness and might increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Based on how mRNA vaccines work, experts believe they are unlikely to pose a specific risk for pregnant people. However, there is limited data about the safety of COVID-19 for people who are pregnant.

What Should Your Takeaway Be?

Ending the pandemic will take time. As science continues to advance and tackle new challenges related to COVID-19, continued vaccine education is crucial.  

If you are a healthcare provider who needs support providing answers to your patients about the mRNA vaccines, a medical call center is a perfect addition.

Our clinical RN staff is trained and ready to support our clients in providing nurse triaging services related to vaccine administration policies and procedures. Click here to contact us today to give your patients another access care point.