• Myth: Vaccines against COVID-19 release their components.

Fact: The COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States do not contain live viruses and therefore do not release them. Transmission of the vaccine components to other people is impossible.

• Myth: Messenger RNA vaccines are not considered vaccines.

Fact: Messenger RNA vaccines, like Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, work differently than traditional vaccines, but are still classified as vaccines. These trigger an immune response, effectively preventing COVID-19.

• Myth: Being around someone who has received a COVID-19 vaccine affects the menstrual cycle.

Fact: COVID-19 vaccines have no impact on menstrual cycles. The irregularities are more likely attributed to factors such as stress, changes in routine or infections, not to the vaccine recipients.

• Myth: All events reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) are caused by vaccination.

Fact: Reports to VAERS may not be directly linked to vaccination, as it accepts reports from anyone. Vaccine safety experts analyze the data, looking for patterns or unusual numbers of health problems after vaccination. Reports do not imply causality.

For more information on myths about COVID-19 vaccines, click here

Additionally, regarding vaccines in general, the Philadelphia College of Physicians debunks several misconceptions:

• Disappearing Diseases:Some believe that diseases such as polio and measles have disappeared, making vaccination unnecessary. However, these diseases persist in other parts of the world, posing a risk if reintroduced. This makes it necessary to continue vaccination.

• More Vaccinated People Get Sick Than Unvaccinated People: During rare outbreaks, more vaccinated people may appear to get the disease. This occurs because most people are vaccinated and, furthermore, no vaccine is 100% effective. To understand the true impact, consider the percentages of vaccinated and unvaccinated people who get sick.

• Hygiene and Better Nutrition Are Responsible for Reducing Disease Rates, Not Vaccination: Although improved hygiene and nutrition contribute to lower disease rates, vaccine data demonstrate their significant role.

• Natural Immunity is Better than Vaccine Acquired Immunity: Although natural immunity may last longer in some cases, the risks of natural infection often outweigh the benefits of vaccination. For example, the measles vaccine prevents the disease with minimal risks, while natural measles infection can cause encephalitis and death. In many cases, vaccines offer more effective and less risky immunity than natural infection.

Addressing myths and misinformation about vaccines is crucial to building public trust and ensuring the success of vaccination campaigns. Armed with accurate information, people can make informed decisions and contribute to public health by getting vaccinated and protecting their communities.