UKZN virologist dispells 5 Covid-19 vaccine myths

THE KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health held a vaccine webinar to dispel some of the conspiracy theories and fake news around Covid-19 vaccines.

South Africa is set to receive its first batch of the 1.5 million vaccine doses from the Serum Institute of India this month. 

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Dr Nokukhanya Msomi, a Clinical Virologist and head of the School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, listed the five most common myths surrounding the Covid-19 vaccine and the truth.

Myth 1: The Covid-19 vaccine is not safe because it was rapidly developed and tested

“The emergency situation of the Covid-19 pandemic warranted an emergency response. The world-wide impact of Covid-19 prompted many pharmaceutical companies and governments to invest significant resources into quickly developing a vaccine,” said Msomi.

Msomi added that the four approved vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik and Oxford) all underwent the six phases of vaccine development but in just a shorter period of time.

Myth 2: There are severe side-effects from the Covid-19 vaccines

“Early phase studies of vaccines show that they are safe. There may be short-term mild vaccine reactions that resolve without complication or injury,” said Msomi.

Myth 3: The Covid-19 vaccine was developed to control the general population through microchip tracking

“There is no vaccine microchip and the vaccine will not track people or gather personal information into a database,” said Msomi.

“Vaccines don’t come with microchips, we are not that developed yet.”

Myth 4: Covid-19 vaccine will alter human DNA

“Injecting mRNA vaccines into the body won’t do anything to the DNA of cells. Human cells break down and get rid of mRNA soon after they have finished using the instructions,” said Msomi.

Myth 5: People who are allergic to eggs should not get the vaccine

“None of the Emergency Use Authorization vaccines contain eggs nor were eggs used in their production,” said Msomi.

“However, those with a history of severe allergic reactions to any substance (like anaphylaxis) are encouraged to remain after vaccination (for observation),” said Msomi.

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Msomi added that it is still unknown whether the authorised vaccines will protect against the recently discovered new variant of Covid-19 since the vaccines were developed prior to it.

More research is also needed to determine whether the vaccines will provide lifetime protection or will require periodic boosters like flu vaccines, said Msomi.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting