The circulation of misinformation about the vaccines poses the danger of hampering efforts to control the pandemic
02 August 2021 - 08:50
byNeelaveni Padayachee and Varsha Bangalee
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A Sasol medical worker administers the vaccine to an employee. Picture: SEBABATSO MOSAMO
SA’s Covid vaccine rollout programme, outlined by the ministry of health, has three phases, starting with the most vulnerable population.
Phase 1 included all the frontline health-care workers. They received the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine. Phase 2 vaccinated people over 60 and those in congregate settings. The third and final phase, now under way, covers the remaining population.
The programme got off to a shaky start in February 2021. It encountered a number of setbacks such as supply, logistics and governance issues, but has gained momentum in recent weeks. As many as 200,000 doses are being administered daily. By the end of July 2021, almost 2.9% of the SA population had been fully vaccinated and 7.5% had their first of the two Pfizer doses.
Despite this uptake, many South Africans are still hesitant to take the vaccine. The circulation of misinformation about it poses the danger of hampering efforts to control the pandemic.
In this article, we aim to dispel some of the myths surrounding the Covid vaccines.
Myth 1: The Covid vaccine will affect a woman’s fertility
This myth was sparked when a social media post was shared in December 2020 by Dr Wolfgang Wodarg, a physician and former chief scientist for allergy and respiratory therapy at Pfizer, and Dr Michael Yeadon, a pulmonologist. They claimed that the spike protein on the coronavirus was the same as the spike protein that is responsible for the growth and attachment of the placenta during pregnancy. The fear was that, as a result of the vaccine, the immune system would not be able to differentiate between the two spike proteins and would attack the placental protein.
This is untrue. The overall makeup of the placental protein is very different from the coronavirus spike protein.
Additionally, during the Pfizer vaccine tests, 23 women volunteers became pregnant after taking the vaccine.
Furthermore, the benefits of being vaccinated outweigh the risks of infection for pregnant women.
Myth 2: I’ve had Covid, so I don’t need a vaccine
Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid, can occur even in individuals who have previously contracted the virus. But receiving the vaccine can provide protection against severe Covid complications.
The level of protection that is achieved from natural immunity after being infected by the virus is unknown. But scientists believe that the vaccine provides better protection than natural infection.
Myth 3: Covid vaccine side effects are dangerous
Several studies have been conducted since the start of the pandemic that have measured South Africans’ perceptions of vaccine issues. A recent study by the University of Johannesburg and the Human Sciences Research Council found that of the respondents who did not want to be vaccinated, 25% were concerned about side effects.
Most of the side effects of the Covid vaccine are mild. They include low-grade fever, a sore arm and fatigue, and these usually subside after one to three days.
Rare side effects such as blood clots have been reported from the J&J vaccine. The chances of experiencing this side effect are low. The risks of blood clots as a result of Covid infection are eight to 10 times higher than risks associated with the vaccine. Doctors are aware of this concern and are trained to identify and treat the condition quickly.
A recent article by Healthline – a medically reviewed and fact-checked website – compared the benefits and risks of being vaccinated with those of contracting Covid. Lung damage is a complication of Covid while muscle fatigue can be a side effect of the vaccine. This risk-benefit decision is left to the individual to make, but vaccinations have been proved to be safe.
Myth 4: Vaccines have a microchip that will track and control an individual
This conspiracy theory has been propagated by anti-vaxxers who believe that the US business magnate, investor and philanthropist Bill Gates will implant microchips to track people’s movement, using the vaccine as the method of delivery. This is untrue and has been clarified by Gates in the media.
This myth gained traction when a video was shared on Facebook making false claims about the optional microchip on the syringe’s label of the Covid vaccine. This microchip’s purpose is to confirm that the injectable and the vaccine are not counterfeit and haven’t expired. It will also confirm if the injection has been used.
People commenting on the video appeared to have misinterpreted the technology as an injectable. But the microchip is part of the syringe label and not the injectable substance itself.
Myth 5: The Covid vaccine development was rushed, so it may not be effective
The vaccine was developed very quickly. This was possible because the vaccine technology had been in development for many years. When the genetic information of SARS-CoV-2 was identified, the process could begin quickly. There were sufficient resources to fund the research and social media made it easier to recruit participants for the clinical trials. Because SARS-CoV-2 is contagious, it was easy to tell whether the vaccine worked or not.
Myth 6: The Covid vaccine can alter my DNA
The messenger RNA vaccine (Pfizer) and the viral vector vaccine (J&J) cause your body to develop protection, so that when you are infected by SARS-CoV-2, your body is prepared to fight the virus. DNA is located in the nucleus of your cells and the vaccine material does not enter the nucleus. So it does not alter the DNA.
Social media plays a huge role in propagating myths and conspiracy theories. Before you share any information, you should ensure that it is from a scientific and reputable source.
Neelaveni Padayachee is a senior lecturer at the department of pharmacy and pharmacology atWitsUniversityand Varsha Bangalee is senior lecturer of pharmaceutical sciences at theUniversityofKwaZulu-Natal. This article was first published at The Conversation Africa.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Here are six Covid-19 myths you can put to rest
The circulation of misinformation about the vaccines poses the danger of hampering efforts to control the pandemic
SA’s Covid vaccine rollout programme, outlined by the ministry of health, has three phases, starting with the most vulnerable population.
Phase 1 included all the frontline health-care workers. They received the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine. Phase 2 vaccinated people over 60 and those in congregate settings. The third and final phase, now under way, covers the remaining population.
The programme got off to a shaky start in February 2021. It encountered a number of setbacks such as supply, logistics and governance issues, but has gained momentum in recent weeks. As many as 200,000 doses are being administered daily. By the end of July 2021, almost 2.9% of the SA population had been fully vaccinated and 7.5% had their first of the two Pfizer doses.
Despite this uptake, many South Africans are still hesitant to take the vaccine. The circulation of misinformation about it poses the danger of hampering efforts to control the pandemic.
In this article, we aim to dispel some of the myths surrounding the Covid vaccines.
Myth 1: The Covid vaccine will affect a woman’s fertility
This myth was sparked when a social media post was shared in December 2020 by Dr Wolfgang Wodarg, a physician and former chief scientist for allergy and respiratory therapy at Pfizer, and Dr Michael Yeadon, a pulmonologist. They claimed that the spike protein on the coronavirus was the same as the spike protein that is responsible for the growth and attachment of the placenta during pregnancy. The fear was that, as a result of the vaccine, the immune system would not be able to differentiate between the two spike proteins and would attack the placental protein.
This is untrue. The overall makeup of the placental protein is very different from the coronavirus spike protein.
Additionally, during the Pfizer vaccine tests, 23 women volunteers became pregnant after taking the vaccine.
Furthermore, the benefits of being vaccinated outweigh the risks of infection for pregnant women.
Myth 2: I’ve had Covid, so I don’t need a vaccine
Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid, can occur even in individuals who have previously contracted the virus. But receiving the vaccine can provide protection against severe Covid complications.
The level of protection that is achieved from natural immunity after being infected by the virus is unknown. But scientists believe that the vaccine provides better protection than natural infection.
Myth 3: Covid vaccine side effects are dangerous
Several studies have been conducted since the start of the pandemic that have measured South Africans’ perceptions of vaccine issues. A recent study by the University of Johannesburg and the Human Sciences Research Council found that of the respondents who did not want to be vaccinated, 25% were concerned about side effects.
Most of the side effects of the Covid vaccine are mild. They include low-grade fever, a sore arm and fatigue, and these usually subside after one to three days.
Rare side effects such as blood clots have been reported from the J&J vaccine. The chances of experiencing this side effect are low. The risks of blood clots as a result of Covid infection are eight to 10 times higher than risks associated with the vaccine. Doctors are aware of this concern and are trained to identify and treat the condition quickly.
A recent article by Healthline – a medically reviewed and fact-checked website – compared the benefits and risks of being vaccinated with those of contracting Covid. Lung damage is a complication of Covid while muscle fatigue can be a side effect of the vaccine. This risk-benefit decision is left to the individual to make, but vaccinations have been proved to be safe.
Myth 4: Vaccines have a microchip that will track and control an individual
This conspiracy theory has been propagated by anti-vaxxers who believe that the US business magnate, investor and philanthropist Bill Gates will implant microchips to track people’s movement, using the vaccine as the method of delivery. This is untrue and has been clarified by Gates in the media.
This myth gained traction when a video was shared on Facebook making false claims about the optional microchip on the syringe’s label of the Covid vaccine. This microchip’s purpose is to confirm that the injectable and the vaccine are not counterfeit and haven’t expired. It will also confirm if the injection has been used.
People commenting on the video appeared to have misinterpreted the technology as an injectable. But the microchip is part of the syringe label and not the injectable substance itself.
Myth 5: The Covid vaccine development was rushed, so it may not be effective
The vaccine was developed very quickly. This was possible because the vaccine technology had been in development for many years. When the genetic information of SARS-CoV-2 was identified, the process could begin quickly. There were sufficient resources to fund the research and social media made it easier to recruit participants for the clinical trials. Because SARS-CoV-2 is contagious, it was easy to tell whether the vaccine worked or not.
Myth 6: The Covid vaccine can alter my DNA
The messenger RNA vaccine (Pfizer) and the viral vector vaccine (J&J) cause your body to develop protection, so that when you are infected by SARS-CoV-2, your body is prepared to fight the virus. DNA is located in the nucleus of your cells and the vaccine material does not enter the nucleus. So it does not alter the DNA.
Social media plays a huge role in propagating myths and conspiracy theories. Before you share any information, you should ensure that it is from a scientific and reputable source.
Neelaveni Padayachee is a senior lecturer at the department of pharmacy and pharmacology at Wits University and Varsha Bangalee is senior lecturer of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. This article was first published at The Conversation Africa.
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