COVID-19 vaccines have been proven to provide a reduction in virus deaths and infections, but sadly, there are a number of misconceptions surrounding the life-saving drugs, leading to some Jamaicans opting not to get inoculated.
This has a negative impact, as decreasing immunisation rates against COVID-19 can lead to a further rise in the respiratory illness, especially given the fact that, to date, just 9.9 per cent of the island’s population was fully vaccinated up to Thursday.
Misconceptions such as ‘COVID-19 vaccines can overwhelm a child’s immune system’ are dangerous and have “no scientific or medical standing”, according to the United State Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Scientists and researchers have repeatedly indicated that the reality is that the cells in the immune system are “continuously being renewed”, meaning the likelihood of the system being overwhelmed is unlikely due to cell replenishment.
Another misconception relative to the COVID-19 vaccines is that persons should not get both doses of a two-dose vaccine.
The Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines that are being administered in Jamaica require two does that are given at least a few weeks apart. Jamaica’s Health and Wellness Ministry has emphasised that both shots are needed for “optimal protection”.
Furthermore, one shot does not make an individual fully vaccinated.
A study published by the CDC in May of this year, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), found that “a single dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines was about 80 per cent effective against symptomatic COVID-19; two doses were 94 per cent effective.”
With the dangerous Delta strain of the coronavirus becoming dominant globally, a second shot is even more important.
“A UK-based study recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that one dose of the Pfizer vaccine or AstraZeneca vaccine (the latter of which is not currently authorised in the US) is about 31 per cent effective against symptomatic disease caused by Delta. Two vaccine doses were about 88 per cent effective,” the AAFP stated.
Presently, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the only single-dose vaccine on offer in Jamaica, and it has proven to be effective against the Delta strain of the virus.
The second shot of the Pfizer should be administered 21 days after the first, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended. However, the second shot of the Pfizer may be given up to six weeks or 42 days from the first.
The second shot of the AstraZeneca, according to WHO standards, can be given between eight or 12 weeks. If necessary, it can also be given up to 14 weeks after the first dose.
Another misconception about the vaccines is that they are bad for persons who have a history of allergic reactions.
This is false, as the US CDC has indicated that persons with a history of allergic reactions to oral medications, food, pets, insects, among other things, can safely get inoculated with any brand of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The AAFP recently noted that “The only group the agency (CDC) says should definitely abstain are those who have had severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in a COVID-19 vaccine.”
Additionally, if persons have had “an allergic reaction to other vaccines or to injectable medications, the CDC recommends talking to your medical provider about whether to get the vaccine,” according to the AAFP.
In Jamaica, health officials have also adopted this stance. There have not been extensive reports locally of persons having experienced severe allergic reactions after taking the vaccines.
There are also misconceptions about whether persons can contract COVID-19 from the anti-COVID vaccines.
This, again, is false, as where viruses are used in making the coronavirus vaccines, the virus cells are deactivated, and have not been proven to cause infections.