March 29, 2024
https://blogs.oncolink.org/2021/01/covid-19-vaccine-myth-busters/

Misconception: The COVID-19 vaccines aren’t safe due to the fact that they were established so rapidly.

Reality: The vaccines were undoubtedly established much faster than common vaccines are typically established. This is mostly due to financing, getting the hereditary code early, utilizing innovation that has actually remained in advancement and screening for several years and the fast recruitment rate of volunteers for medical trials.

Due to the reality that COVID-19 was a worldwide pandemic, the world collaborated to produce a safe and efficient vaccine as rapidly as possible. This implied that scientists and researchers were sharing their coronavirus information, consisting of the hereditary code of SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus behind COVID-19). Financing wasn’t a concern like it has actually been for other tasks in the past. There were 10s of countless volunteers that wished to be associated with the medical trials to assist bring the pandemic to an end. All of these aspects resulted in the fast advancement of the vaccine, however no actions were avoided or corners cut throughout the advancement and screening procedure.

Misconception: I can get coronavirus from the COVID-19 vaccine.

Reality: It is not possible to get coronavirus from the present vaccines. The present vaccines, from Pfizer and Moderna, do not consist of live infections. Rather, the vaccine makes our bodies produce proteins that assist avoid infection.

It is possible to end up being contaminated with the infection prior to or simply after you have actually been immunized. This is due to the fact that the vaccine would not have actually had adequate time to offer complete security. There is some security in the weeks after the very first shot, however information programs that it takes 7-10 days after the 2nd shot to get the very best effect of immunization.

Misconception: Cancer clients should not get the vaccine.

Reality: The early information reveals the vaccine to be safe for cancer clients. Cancer clients are motivated to get the vaccine once it appears to them. Cancer clients, especially those getting treatments impacting their body immune system, can have a greater danger of ending up being ill from Covid-19. The threats of having Covid-19 far exceed the threats from the vaccine.

A few of my clients that are presently getting radiation have actually reported that they have actually currently gotten the very first dosage of the vaccine. Inspect often with your local health department on when the vaccine will be offered to you.

Misconception: I have actually currently had coronavirus, so I do not require to get immunized.

Reality: You can end up being contaminated with COVID-19 more than when. For that reason you need to still get immunized even if you have actually evaluated favorable formerly. Specialists do not understand the length of time the natural resistance lasts if you have actually formerly been contaminated with COVID-19.

The CDC advises that people that have actually been contaminated with COVID-19 wait 90 days after medical diagnosis to get the vaccine. If you have actually had COVID-19, talk with your company about timing your vaccine.

Misconception: The vaccine can change my DNA.

Reality: The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines do not communicate or alter your DNA in any method. The mRNA from the vaccine never ever goes into the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. Rather, it teaches our cells how to make a protein that assists avoid infection.

Misconception: The vaccine will impact my cancer treatment.

Reality: At this time, there is no information to recommend that the vaccine will impact cancer treatments. It is advised that you talk with your cancer care company if you have concerns or issues.

Misconception: After I get the vaccine, I can stop using my mask and stop social distancing.

Reality: We should keep present treatments with Individual Protective Devices (PPE), social distancing, and regular hand cleaning even after we get the vaccine. The rate of asymptomatic infection and capability to spread out the infection after vaccination is still uncertain. So, even after you have actually been completely immunized, you require to keep safety measures to guarantee the security of others who have actually not been or can not be immunized. We do anticipate to see more info on this subject in the coming weeks to months.

Misconception: I might have severe negative effects from the vaccine.

Reality: Major negative effects from the vaccine are unusual, and getting the vaccine is much less dangerous than getting COVID-19. Some small negative effects prevail, such as discomfort at the injection website, headache, fever, feeling exhausted or being throbbing for a day or 2. This is in fact an advantage, it’s an indication that the vaccine is working.

Misconception: This is the last vaccine blog site in this series.

Reality: This is not the last blog site in this series and there are a number of more to follow. In our next vaccine blog sites, we will go over the concerns and discussions that cancer clients need to have with their cancer care companies about the vaccine. We will go over the significance of having a strategy in location for when the vaccine is offered for you. We will likewise discuss what takes place after you get the vaccine.


Courtney is a Radiation Therapist at Penn Medication in the Department of Radiation Oncology. She finished her Bachelor’s Degree in Radiation Treatment from Indiana University, and got her Master’s Degree in Public Health with concentrations in Health Management and Policy and Health Education and Promo from Benedictine University. She has fourteen years of experience in radiation treatment, that includes a knowledge in proton treatment and pediatrics. Courtney has actually dealt with OncoLink because 2014, however signed up with part-time in 2020 as a Worldwide Education Organizer and is presently establishing virtual truth training modules that have actually been utilized to train radiation therapists both locally and globally.