Mythical Five: Vaccine Myths Debunked

by Koozae Calvin Umali (Hachimoji)

It has been over 200 years since scientists developed the first vaccine. However, there is a growing population that keeps on reverting our victories. Especially in this time of the pandemic, more and more minds are being inoculated with an infectious agent deadlier than any virus: misinformation. They also linked the resurgence of some eradicated diseases to the drop in the immunization rates because of the vaccine hesitancy and vaccine scare from the concerned parents. With that, here are five debunked vaccine myths for approved vaccines:

Vaccines do not cause autism

There is no scientific evidence that suggests vaccines cause autism. After peer-review, the Lancet retracted the infamous 1997 study due to non-scientific methodologies and grave research violations. Several studies conducted after the issue found no link between vaccines and the development of autism.  

Vaccines do not cause the disease

Most vaccines contain inactivated viruses which cannot replicate, thus it cannot cause diseases.  Mild side effects are normal after vaccination. These are expected responses from the immune system that show the vaccine is working. These symptoms are not signs of infection.

Vaccines do not contain harmful substances

The different chemicals inside the vaccines are vital for the safe administration of the jab. One popular substance is Thimerosal, a mercury-based compound, which helps to preserve the vaccines. The doses of these ingredients are very low compared to the amount exposed to us in our everyday life. Some foods that we eat have higher amounts of these substances, but we emerge unharmed.

Vaccines will not alter the DNA

Vaccine components enter the cells, but vaccines cannot enter the nucleus, which holds our genetic information. For example, mRNA in vaccines only instructs the cell to make proteins that alert the immune system, and then immediately break down. Therefore, it cannot affect or alter the DNA. 

Vaccines for COVID-19 were not rushed

The scientific breakthroughs and advancements throughout the years made this possible. mRNA vaccine technology has been developed for years, so vaccine development finished early. Also, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are also diseases brought about by a coronavirus, so we can utilize previous studies to create interventions. The COVID-19 vaccines that received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have undergone a series of tests that prove their efficacy and safety.

As proven by medical science, approved vaccines are safe. Vaccines can prevent you from developing a disease, but the most important aspect of this is that if we looked on a bigger lens, vaccines can prevent a society from acquiring or re-acquiring these deadly diseases. Every Filipino deserves to know that vaccines can and will save lives.