Vaccination Explanation

Fact-checking COVID-19 myths

PARKER MILES, contributing writer

1

The vaccines can alter DNA. NOT TRUE

COVID-19 vaccines help the body’s immune system create antibodies to fight COVID-19. A vital component of the COVID-19 vaccine is mRNA, or Messenger RNA. Dr. Thaddeus Stappenbeck, Chairman of the Department of Inflammation and Immunity at Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute said, “Messenger RNA is something that’s made from DNA, but it’s not designed to integrate with our DNA, and it doesn’t permanently change our genome and who we are in any way.” The mRNA from the vaccine enters people’s cells, but the mRNA does not enter the nucleus where the DNA exists. The primary function of mRNA is to make proteins that bolster the immune system so that individuals will not catch the virus, according to Dr. Lisa Maragakis, John Hopkins senior director of infection prevention, and Dr. Gabor Kelen, director of the Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response.

2

Vaccines for COVID-19 cannot be trusted because the development process was rushed. NOT TRUE

While the average vaccine can take approximately 14 years to develop, the COVID-19 vaccines came to market in a matter of months. But this does not mean they are untrustworthy. The Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were created with a specific method that has been in development for years. Therefore, the vaccine’s record-breaking development time is not a byproduct of being “rushed,” but rather, is a culmination of mRNA research years in the making. The CDC has written and spoken extensively about the long history of mRNA vaccine research: “Researchers have been studying and working with mRNA vaccines for decades. Interest has grown… because they can be developed in a laboratory using readily available materials… the process can be standardized… scaled up, making vaccine development faster.” According to the Cleveland Clinic, the vaccines for COVID-19 were developed quickly, but there were no shortcuts in the process. Companies put their vaccines through rigorous trials involving tens of thousands of volunteers, and early data indicates that both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are effective in mitigating COVID-19’s transmissibility and general impact, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

3

People who have already had COVID-19 will not benefit from the vaccine. SOMEWHAT TRUE

The CDC recommends that all individuals get the vaccine regardless of any previous history of COVID-19. When people are naturally infected with COVID-19, their immune response is “highly variable,” according to the New York Times. Some individuals make very high amounts of antibodies that last for many months, while others who may have experienced less symptoms of COVID-19 may produce less antibodies. Though the CDC acknowledges that it is uncommon for a COVID-19 reinfection to occur within 90 days of recovering from an infection, the antibody levels after vaccination are significantly higher than antibody levels after natural infection. Immunologist Andrew T. McGuire from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute in Seattle performed a study measuring the increase in antibody levels for individuals who received their first dose of the vaccine. He found a “massive, massive boost” in antibodies even in individuals who had previously recovered from COVID-19, indicating the importance of receiving a vaccine even for those who had a prior infection.

4

COVID-19 vaccines can have adverse effects. SOMEWHAT TRUE

One of the main reasons why people are hesitant about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is that they might experience negative side effects. The COVID-19 vaccine does have some harmful side effects, but they are not long-term. As of January 21, 2021, two million people reported symptoms of nausea, fatigue, or pain in their arm at least once to the CDC after receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. Individuals might experience a headache or a fever for a day or two, but these side effects are signs that the vaccine is working to stimulate the immune system, according to both Dr. Kelen and Dr. Maragakis. If you have not previously had COVID-19, you may notice more side effects after the second dose of the vaccination series.

5

Now that people are getting vaccinated, the pandemic will be over very soon. SOMEWHAT TRUE

According to the CDC, at least 70 percent of the entire population needs to either have had COVID-19 or been vaccinated in order for life to return to somewhat normal. As of March 2021, nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population has had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. While the number of people vaccinated has skyrocketed over the past several months, it is not likely that the world’s return to normal will be immediate. According to the CDC as of March 9, 2021, even after you have been fully vaccinated, you should keep taking precautions in public places like wearing a mask, staying six feet apart from others, and avoiding large crowds.

Staff Spotlight

Upper School faculty member Meredith Many shares her COVID-19 vaccine experience.

Vaccine manufacturer: Moderna Vaccination dates: January 20, 2021 & February 17, 2021

Many’s advice to those on the fence about getting a COVID-19 vaccine is simple: “Do it anyways.” Prior to receiving both doses of the vaccine, Many recalls her anxieties about her symptoms. Her reaction to her second shot was more severe than her first dose, and she took the day off of work with a 100.3 °F fever. Though the two doses of the vaccine have boosted Many’s immunity, she does not plan on relaxing her safety protocols. It is still possible for Many to contract COVID-19, but her vaccine will fortify her response to the virus to minimize the potential for a severe COVID-19 case.