This information was accurate at the time of publication. Due to the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, some information may have changed since the original publication date.
Information about COVID-19 is constantly evolving. As information is shared online and on social media, some of it is misleading and influencing the decision whether to get vaccinated or not. Sankar Swaminathan， MD他是 传染病科s at University of Utah Health, sets the record straight about COVID-19 疫苗s.
Development of COVID-19 疫苗s were NOT rushed
While it was done quickly, the 疫苗s were not rushed. The term "rushed" suggests something was done differently than normal or that corners were cut. In fact, tens of thousands of participants were studied in the safety and efficacy trials. To date, millions of people have been vaccinated. Data show the 疫苗 is safe overall and is effective at preventing 住院治疗 and death.
In a normal 疫苗 trial, enough people have to get the disease to know whether it works or not. 这通常意味着等待很长时间. 与COVID-19, 因为病毒传播得太广了, 感染后很快就会发病, it was possible to complete the studies much sooner.
The development of these 疫苗s was also based on a wealth of scientific work that had been done previously in the laboratory and in animals.
mRNA疫苗不会改变你的DNA
Messenger RNA is a small molecule that is made by cells in your body and by bacteria and viruses. 这是如何制造蛋白质的蓝图. The Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech 疫苗s consist of mRNA that's been made in the lab. 当它进入你的细胞, the mRNA instructs them to make a version of the spike protein that SARS-CoV-2 makes. 这个小, harmless piece of the virus cannot cause COVID-19, and mRNA 疫苗s do not change your DNA in any way. This is just a clever way of introducing the spike protein into your body so the body can learn how to fight it off. 在这一点上，它和破伤风疫苗很相似, where instead of mRNA you actually inject the tetanus protein.
COVID-19 疫苗s help protect against COVID-19 variants
Data on the efficacy of COVID-19 疫苗s shows they help prevent severe illness, 住院治疗, 所有的变种都将面临死亡. 病毒发生变异是正常的. As they do, 疫苗 efficacy could lessen as more variants emerge over time. 就像流感疫苗一样, the COVID-19 疫苗s are updated on a regular basis to increase protection against newer virus variants.
Older adults should stay up-to-date on vaccination
它是 老年人接种疫苗很重要 and receive additional doses of the updated COVID-19 疫苗. Data continues to show this group is at higher risk of 住院治疗, 病毒引起的并发症, 如果感染COVID-19甚至死亡. An additional dose may help restore protection that has waned.
A COVID-19 疫苗 will lower the risk of getting sick if you are exposed to the virus. It's possible to still contract COVID-19 after receiving the 疫苗, but evidence suggests the 疫苗 may keep you from getting seriously ill if you get infected. Getting the 疫苗 may also help protect the people you're around, especially those who are at increased risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.
The majority of people can get a COVID-19 疫苗
Out of the tens of thousands of people who were tested in the initial COVID-19 疫苗 trial, 没有严重的不良反应. Now that more than 600 million doses of the 疫苗 have been given to more than 270 million people in the U.S.，已经有极少数的 的不利影响.
If you've had previous severe allergic reaction such as face swelling, 呼吸困难, or treatment with an EpiPen after a vaccination, then you should discuss with your doctor whether it's safe to get the COVID-19 疫苗. Common allergies like hay fever or food allergies are not a reason to avoid the 疫苗. You have a greater chance of experiencing long-term side effects or dying from COVID-19 than experiencing an adverse reaction to the 疫苗.
You should still get vaccinated if you've had COVID-19
Those who already had COVID-19 should get vaccinated. While a person gets natural immunity from the virus, the strength and duration of immunity can vary. Vaccines are recommended to enhance protection.
COVID-19 疫苗s DO NOT harm 生育能力 or 怀孕
There is no data to support the claim that COVID-19 疫苗s harm 生育能力 or 怀孕. There is data that shows pregnant people have an increased risk of experiencing COVID-19并发症. 怀孕的人, 母乳喂养, or planning to become pregnant are recommended to get vaccinated.
你不会从疫苗中感染COVID-19
COVID-19 疫苗s cannot make you sick with COVID-19. 它是 common to experience side effects after getting vaccinated. Some symptoms include injection site pain, muscle aches, chills, fatigue, and fever. These side effects can be treated with over-the-counter medication.
While COVID-19 疫苗s offer great protection from getting severely sick and hospitalized from the virus, it's still possible to experience a breakthrough infection after getting vaccinated. Breakthrough infections are typically much milder than COVID-19 infections in people who are unvaccinated.