10 minute read
Health
Claim: The COVID-19 vaccine should not be administered to individuals who want to get pregnant or are currently pregnant due to concerns that the vaccine may cause infertility.
Fact: No evidence has been found that suggests that COVID-19 vaccines have any effect on fertility or pregnancies.
By ELLEN PARK and SAHEEL MITHA
Special to the AmNews
As the novel COVID-19 virus progressed at dangerous rates with the threat of a new variant emergence in 2020, a not so novel anti-vaccine myth emerged that targeted a particularly vulnerable group: those who are wanting to become or are pregnant. In the midst of the first COVID-19 vaccines receiving emergency authorization, misinformation was circulating on social media, falsely claiming that the COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility. One false claim was attributed to a discredited former head of Pfizer research alleging a mechanism through which the vaccine causes infertility. Unsubstantiated reports such as these have fueled COVID vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, instilling fear and uncertainty in individuals who want to get pregnant or who are currently pregnant.
When asked why vaccine misinformation like this finds credibility, Dr. Taraneh Shirazian, MD, director of the division of global women’s health in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine said, “Vaccine misinformation may [seem] credible for some individuals due to political reasons, social reasons, and the individualization of the United States spread within social media.” The unattributed example of misinformation spread the rumor that the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines can train the female body to attack the placental protein called syncytin-1, which causes infertility. However, there is no data to support this argument.
According to Dr. Shirazian, “The vaccine or virus has no affinity to the placental protein. The mRNA vaccine is simply a code that teaches cells to create antibodies without exposure to the virus.” In addition, there is no concrete evidence that suggests that the COVID-19 vaccine will have any effect on fertility; individuals who are planning or trying to get pregnant can and should receive the vaccine.”
While the widespread use of mRNA vaccines are fairly new, it is important to note that human trial studies using mRNA vaccine have been conducted since 2006. Despite the plethora of research conducted on debunking the myth that vaccines cause infertility, according to a KFF report, nearly three-in-ten of surveyed U.S. adults believe or are unsure whether COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to cause infertility. Moreover, researcher Abbasi finds that about a third of pregnant adults in the U.S. still remain unvaccinated as of early February 2022. This is particular-
ly concerning as the communities at risk are mainly the marginalized and minoritized, due to the historical mistreatment and long-standing disparities.
In order to tackle vaccine misinformation and mitigate people’s mistrust of healthcare providers, “healthcare providers need to have more dialogue around healthcare and vaccines, go into communities with health education programs, and uplift individuals to make their own choices and find places that will provide the appropriate resources needed,” stated Dr. Shirazian.
Many pregnant people incorrectly do not think that receiving the vaccine is necessary, due to a multitude of different reasons. One reason is that some individuals may be wary due to the fact that the vaccine itself can change the menstrual cycle.
“Any new change introduced into the body will cause a disturbance, requiring the body to accommodate. Additionally, changes in the menstrual cycle does not equate [to] changes in fertility” said Dr. Shirazian.
Another reason is that people may think because they already had COVID-19, they may have immunity from the virus. However, the latest trends show that many people are becoming reinfected due to the prevalence of different viral strains as well as the prolonged stay of the virus. Previous exposure to one strain of COVID19 does not necessarily mean that someone will be immune against future reinfections, but receiving the vaccine and getting boosted can better protect an individual and can mitigate the negative health effects that are experienced if someone tests positive. “In addition, the antibodies that the mother generates through being vaccinated can be passed onto the newborn,” states Dr. Shirazian. Therefore, to build immunity from COVID-19 in a newborn infant, the mother should get vaccinated.
With the evolution of the virus, Dr. Laith Abu-Raddad, an infectious disease epidemiologist studying COVID-19 reinfection patterns from Weill Cornell Medicine at Qatar, said in an interview, “There is strong immune evasion that reduces protection from the virus at 50% or more. As the virus is evolving and new strains emerge, immune evasion increases.” Because of this, “receiving a vaccination with the booster is the most effective way to protect yourself from reinfection, in addition to using masks and social distancing,” Dr. Abu-Raddad added.
Pregnant people are a very vulnerable group, as the body is undergoing change, and should get vaccinated in order to build protection against severe symptoms and resistance from the virus—for them and their newborns. If you are pregnant or considering getting pregnant and have doubts about the impact of a COVID19 vaccine you should speak with your doctor or a qualified medical professional to get the facts.
To get a vaccination or booster, visit https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829). These and other resources can also be accessed on the AmNews’ COVID-19 page: www.amsterdamnews.com/covid/
Award from President Barack Obama. She is a CEO, award-winning author, international speaker, and trainer. A life member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Grant has served on every level of the organization as an active and financial member for 33 consecutive years. She brings decades of professional and business development expertise with corporate and notfor-profit entities nationwide, as well as community engagement partnerships to her new role.
Grant will focus on building technology and innovation while elevating engagement with existing partnerships, memberships and alliances for longevity and alignment with Zeta’s strategic plan. Leveraging the organization’s more than 40-year partnership with the March of Dimes, Grant will also explore expanded educational options related to fertility and other pre-pregnancy planning. that they’re destined to be.’”
Cohen’s Central Harlem nonprofit offers T.A.G. Nights, where local youth meet every Thursday to chat about life at home, in school and through the community. The acronym doubles for “Teaching a Generation” and “Teens Against Guns.”
Street Corner Resources founder Iesha Sekou says the ability to employ youngsters will be lifesaving. Her Harlem organization is famed locally for providing youth work and offering rapid response support for victims and their families. Roughly two weeks ago, she sat bedside next to a teenager, comatose from a gunshot wound.
“This is a 14-year-old kid laying in a hospital, bullet in the head, his mother doesn’t even know he’s shot—this could have been prevented with greater resources,” she said. “This grant allows us to employ more young people. It gives us an opportunity to pull in some young people that, if we didn’t have a job, may not even want to talk to us.”
Sekou also credited Bragg for his work with youth gun violence prevention even before he became district attorney and said local youth are thrilled to hear he’s also from Harlem.
As for Bragg himself, he says he knows the importance of such a fund. He recalls talking to an at-risk youth his office was paying an unrelated stipend. The youngster talked about the support he received from his mom, and the district attorney, wearing his “parent hat,” recommended he convey to her his gratitude. But thanks to his stipend, the young man was already ahead of the father of two.
“He said to me, ‘You know, I took her out to dinner last week,’ and one of the other people in my office was like ‘you got your stipend last week’ and he [said] ‘yeah,’” said Bragg. “It’s not this programming, but the notion that summer stipend would allow someone doing a positive impact…so they can do something like this, express [their] gratitude to the people who helped them get there this far.”
Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member and writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w
Broken Windows
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Forged instruments tend to be outdated or self-administered license plates, according to Gangi. And fare evasion is, well, evading fares on public transportation.
But “broken windows” don’t mean broken promises. Gangi says Adams, who served 22 years on the force, ran on his police credentials. So more aggressive policing is in line with his mayoral campaign. But Adams also promised to reform the NYPD. Gangi hopes PROP’s findings offer a pathway to change.
“Our purpose is to educate the public and put pressure on the politicians regarding police arrest practices, which are starkly racist in their implementation every day,” he said. “There’s no question that the cops target and harass low income people of color on a regular basis. And also vulnerable groups within that general population. So unhoused people, people who are mentally challenged, people who are unemployed. Those New Yorkers are the people, for the most part, who the NYPD arrest.”
Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member and writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w
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against my longtime friend and colleague, Congresswoman Maloney, but I’ve been in competitive primaries before and this is nothing new,” said Nadler, 75, ahead of Tuesday’s debate on Pix 11. “I’m very glad to have the chance to speak to New York voters—on both the East and West sides— and I’m feeling very good about my chances of winning reelection.”
Nadler criticized the congressional redistricting process, in which Democrats in trying to gain power have thrown other Democrats for a loop by changing their districts. Nadler said that there was no doubt that the legislature “overreached.” He said the redistricting process is in desperate need of reform and has supported legislation in Congress that would ban gerrymandering and take politics out of redistricting.
“My vision of NY-12 is one that I’ve been fighting for throughout my entire career: a New York City with green parks, efficient public transportation, affordable housing, and streets safe from the threat of gun violence. I’ve worked relentlessly to turn this vision into reality in Congress and you better believe I’m not done yet,” said Nadler in a statement.
In the debate, Nadler said that “seniority brings clout” and experience is essential to getting laws passed. Nadler currently chairs the House Committee on the Judiciary. He said it would be devastating if New York lost two committee chairs because of the race.
Patel, 38, is a bit of a wildcard as a younger, progressive of color in the race. When the Amsterdam News caught up with him, he was busy with his pre-debate workout routine, he said.
“I lift weights before any debate or forum. I’m a big believer in endorphins and mental clarity,” said Patel.
Patel said he feels like the energy and momentum in the race is leaning his way with an “absolutely electric feeling out there for change.” Patel’s main push in the race is for generational change or “fresh” leadership, jabbing at his opponents who have both been congress members for decades and are in their seventies. He said in the debate that in all that time neither Nadler nor Maloney could codify Roe v. Wade in terms of abortion rights or same-sex marriage rights.
Patel said he’d be honored to be a person of color to represent a majority white district in Manhattan, outside of Harlem, and one of the few South Asian representatives.
“This is not a time for rookies,” said Maloney, 76, in Tuesday’s debate. “This is a time for our best team going forward to combat an extreme Supreme Court.”
Maloney chairs the United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform. She said in the debate that in her time in Congress she has accomplished many things, including building the 2nd Avenue subway. She hopes to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment if she returns to Congress.
Maloney couldn’t be reached directly for comment by post time. donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w
People with Medicare, Mark Your Calendars!
Open enrollment is October 15th to December 7th, 2022. During this period, you can sign up for or switch your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan and/or Medicare Advantage Plan. You may also be eligible for programs that help with your Medicare costs. Give us a call. We can help. For more information, call Aging Connect at 212-244-6469 and ask for “HIICAP” or “SHIP”
