The Covid-19 Vaccine: Benefits vs Concerns
Thanks to the efforts of the global scientific community, we have a handful of highly effective vaccines available to us within a short time span to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. While a large portion of the population has been vaccinated in the region, there remain those who are yet to get the jab due to apprehensions about the effectiveness of the vaccine. Rampant misinformation being circled around about the safety aspects has further hindered people’s decision.
Let us delve into the benefits of taking the Covid-19 vaccine, and also the common misconceptions and concerns being raised in the current scenario.
Covid-19 vaccines contribute to controlling the spread of the disease
One of the main benefits of the vaccine is to prevent individuals from getting seriously ill even after contracting the virus, and containing its spread. This is particularly important in the case of those who are most vulnerable, including people with medical conditions, older adults, pregnant women, and those who were recently pregnant. Vaccinating as many people as possible will better protect such individuals.
Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective
There are apprehensions about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines, as skeptics cite the speed at which they were manufactured as a cause of concern. While the necessity of saving as many lives as possible might have required that vaccines be manufactured within a short time frame, they were developed using science that has been around for decades and counting. Furthermore, they are not experimental as they have been extensively tested and monitored after going through all the stages of clinical trials before being rolled out to the public at large.
Questions about the side effects
Like any other vaccine, Covid-19 vaccines can cause short-term, mild to moderate side effects, the common ones being nausea, headaches, muscle pain, tiredness, chills and fever. These reactions differ on the basis of the vaccine and most of these reactions are mild and should go away on their own within a few days.
There have been concerns raised about the long-term side effects of the vaccines. While more serious long-lasting effects due to the vaccines are possible, they are extremely rare. The vaccines are being continually monitored to mitigate the risk of such reactions. One must consider that the vaccines’ slated benefits outweigh the potential risks of developing long-term adverse reactions.
Common myths that have given rise to doubts and fear
Certain misconceptions about the vaccines are being circulated, causing people to doubt their safety and efficacy. Common myths include questions raised about causing an individual to become magnetic after receiving the vaccine, problems with pregnancy occurring, and the vaccine altering a person’s DNA, to name a few. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has addressed these myths while urging individuals to gather their information from credible sources that are regularly updated with the latest information.
Another question raised has been as to whether getting a Covid-19 vaccine can cause an individual to test positive on a viral test. None of the authorised vaccines would do so. An individual might test positive on some antibody tests if their body develops an immune response to vaccination. Antibody tests indicate that there might have been a previous infection and that the body might have some level of protection against the virus.
As none of the approved vaccines contains the virus, they cannot cause Covid-19 among the vaccinated.
In conclusion
The dark cloud of the Covid-19 pandemic still looms over the community at large. Those who have contracted the virus could be in potential danger which could lead to severe health issues and even hospitalisation. It is natural to be concerned about the vaccines and ponder whether one should take them or not. All the vaccines manufactured have been distributed to the public after thorough research, and with constant monitoring for problems and side effects. Taking the vaccine is one step closer to moving closer to a normal life. However, before taking the jab, one must ensure that they undergo a medical examination, check for allergies and inform the doctor about their medical history