Myths and Facts About the COVID-19 Vaccine

One fact that everyone can agree on: COVID-19 has made a significant impact on the world.

The world has adapted and changed greatly over the last couple of years. However, different sources have different beliefs on COVID-19 and its vaccine, as well as the alleged potential risks and long-term side effects.

NCDS Medical Billing holds a steadfast commitment to our valued clients to succeed and make solid decisions for the future. We are committed to ensuring our clients know the latest information about the state of COVID-19 and the vaccine.

The Current State of the COVID-19 Pandemic

WHO (World Health Organization) declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on January 30, 2020. At this time, the official death toll from the virus was 171.

The COVID-19 death toll figure increased to 1,813,188 by December 31, 2020. However, it’s difficult to accurately gauge the impact of COVID-19 on lives around the world. A preliminary estimate places the global death toll from COVID-19 in 2020 at a minimum of 3 million. A WHO assessment concluded that only 98% of COVID-19 deaths were reported in Europe and only 10% in Africa.

As it stands in November 2021, the death toll unfortunately continues to rise with over 5 million confirmed deaths.

The good news is that we can do something about this to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and other human beings.

Introducing the COVID-19 Vaccine

Thankfully, there is a solution to lower the death toll from COVID-19: the coronavirus vaccine. Getting vaccinated has been proven to decrease the death toll from COVID-19.

Though public health experts and health care providers have hailed vaccination as the best choice for rescuing the world from the pandemic, the misinformation on a series of platforms have made some people think twice about vaccination. This includes some healthcare providers who have questions on the current vaccines.

Education on the coronavirus vaccines will help you dispel your fears once your questions are well-answered. Below, we share several myths and facts about the COVID-19 vaccine to address your questions.

Common COVID-19 Vaccine Myths

When people are not so sure about what something entails, information gaps often are filled with conjecture, lies, and half-truths. Below are a few myths circulating about COVID-19 vaccines and the facts to paint the full picture.

Myth: COVID-19 vaccines offer no protection against new disease strains and variants

Media outlets in December 2020 reported a new variant of COVID-19. Since then, several other variants have been discovered, and some are being investigated. COVID-19 variants come about as a result of the mutation or change to the virus’s genetic makeup. RNA viruses, like the coronavirus, change and evolve gradually to boost their resilience to different elements. A virus will not mutate easily if it is not replicating or spreading.

The Delta variant has been a large concern to many. According to the CDC, those most at risk for the Delta variant are unvaccinated people. The Delta variant can have breakthrough infections for fully vaccinated people, however vaccinated people have a shorter spread time. Additionally, fully vaccinated people are more protected from the Delta variant. The overall stance of the CDC about the Delta variant and vaccines is “Vaccines in the US are highly effective, including against the Delta variant."

By getting vaccinated, you break the disease chain and thus stop the emergence of new coronavirus variants. The two initial vaccines, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, were found to be about 95% effective in protecting against coronavirus disease. Though these vaccines and others available now might be somewhat less effective in offering protection against new coronavirus strains, they prevent most moderate and mild infections. They also minimize the chances of severe disease, death, and hospitalization from COVID-19 infection.

Myth: There are severe side effects of getting COVID-19 vaccines

Rumors have swirled that vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes the coronavirus) have dangerous side effects. Some claim these side effects are worse than the symptoms of the COVID-19 disease.

Like all vaccines, the coronavirus vaccines have a possibility of side effects. The most common side effects include muscle pain at the injection site, diarrhea, nausea, chills, headaches, and body aches. For instance, according to a report issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, about 84% of subjects in clinical studies for the Pfizer vaccine reported pain at the injection site. 

Fortunately, the side effects are often mild reactions to the vaccine, and they happen differently in different people. In fact, some people have no side effects. In sporadic cases, people get an allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis after the vaccination. You will spend about 15-30 minutes at the vaccination center after the injection. As such, your health care provider can adequately manage your allergic reaction if it arises. 

The U.S Center for Disease Control had linked the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine to blood clots. This led to the pause of the vaccine in April 2020. Some people that got the vaccine also reported anxiety symptoms. However, a May report by the CDC concluded that the anxiety was likely because of pre-existing issues rather than the vaccine. The blood clots are very rare, happening in about only 48 cases among over 15.5 million vaccinations. Due to the vaccine's strong positive results, the CDC recommends the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine as a safe option for vaccination.

Myth: COVID-19 vaccines will lead to infertility and other serious medical issues

A sophisticated disinformation campaign run on several social media platforms claimed that the antibodies produced by your body in response to the coronavirus vaccine could bind to placental proteins, thus preventing pregnancy. 

The fact is that the COVID-19 vaccine has not been associated with any infertility, according to a statement from reproductive health experts. Furthermore, there is no vaccination-inducing immunity or viral infection that has been proven to cause infertility in non-pregnant people. There exists no scientific evidence linking the coronavirus vaccine to infertility or any serious diseases because the vaccine’s side effects or the possibility of an adverse event are generally transient.

The available data primarily focuses on the effect of coronavirus infection on pregnant women. Though data indicates that pregnant women do not have a higher risk of contracting coronavirus than the general population, their risk of getting seriously ill is higher. There, however, is no data indicating increased rates of miscarriage events after getting COVID-19.

Myth: The coronavirus vaccine implants nano traducers or microchip tracking in people

The myth about a possible link between the COVID-19 vaccine and nano transducers or microchip tracking followed a comment from the Gates Foundation. The foundation had suggested that people can get a digital certificate detailing their vaccine records to ease tracking and data collection. However, the technology that the foundation was alluding to is not a microchip, and there is no technology introduced by COVID-19 vaccination into your body. Gates called the myth “so stupid and strange” when he announced a $1.6 billion pledge to Gavi in an article in the Business Insider.

Myth: The vaccine is neither safe nor effective because it was developed quickly

The SARS-CoV-2 virus spread quickly and had a worldwide impact because of increased global travel recently. As such, almost all major pharmaceutical companies and governments invested a lot of resources into getting vaccines for the virus. The emergency response that led to the rapid development of vaccines does not mean that the drug did not undergo adequate testing or that researchers bypassed vaccine safety protocols.

Studies conducted on two of the first vaccines released into the market found them 95% effective against the coronavirus disease. Another reason for the fast vaccine development is that China promptly isolated and shared the virus’s genetic information, so scientists started working on the vaccine early.

Moreover, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were created using novel technology relying on the virus’s molecular structure. This allowed the manufacturer to avail a vaccine free of animal origin materials. Social media also helped to get a lot of study volunteers to help with the COVID-19 vaccine development.

Myth: COVID-19 cases after vaccination means the COVID-19 vaccine doesn’t work

COVID-19 may still occur in exposed individuals even after vaccination due to the initial vaccinations being about 95% effective. There may be breakthrough cases in that 5%, which may be larger considering new strains.

In a breakthrough case scenario, a vaccine may save your life as well as others. Vaccines help stop the emergence of new variants, and also strongly minimize the chances of severe cases and death from COVID-19. As shown on the graph below, rates of COVID-19 are significantly lower for vaccinated individuals.

What this study shows us is that COVID-19 vaccines offer stronger protection than merely natural immunity, and that vaccines help prevent reinfections.

COVID-19 Vaccine Facts

Fact: The vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19

Neither of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines can make you contract the coronavirus disease, nor do they contain a live virus that can introduce the SARS-CoV-2 virus into your body. The Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine and Moderna vaccines contain mRNA {messenger ribonucleic acid}. The mRNA instructs your body on how it can build the spike proteins on the coronavirus.

The spike proteins are recognized by your immune system as foreign, so the body produces monoclonal antibodies against them. Your immune system will “remember” the coronavirus protein when you are exposed to the real SARS-CoV-2 virus and attack it in the same way. The protein that your body makes does not replicate, so it will not cause any disease.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine uses an inactivated harmless cold vaccine to trigger the production of antibodies. Though it works differently from the mRNA vaccines, the result of this viral vector vaccine is the same. Remember that the cold virus used is inactivated; therefore, you cannot contract a cold from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Some people develop fever, headache, and muscle aches after being vaccinated. When these occur within three days after vaccination, they may be the side effects of the vaccines rather than an active coronavirus disease. The symptoms signify that your body is building an immune response against the real virus.

Fact: The coronavirus vaccine does not alter your DNA

Your DNA comprises the distinctive genetic code that defines who you are. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the Moderna vaccine contain mRNA that teaches the body how to produce monoclonal antibodies. The mRNA does not interact with your DNA in any way because it does not enter the cell nucleus. As such, it will not alter your DNA sequence. Moreover, body cells break down the mRNA as soon as they finish making antibodies, so they cannot affect your DNA.

Fact: Getting the coronavirus vaccine does not cause a positive COVID-19 viral test

There are two tests currently recommended by the CDC for COVID-19. These include the antibody and viral test. None of the recommended and authorized coronavirus vaccines will cause a positive outcome on the viral test after getting the coronavirus vaccine. The viral test will test positive for a current COVID-19 infection. Since the vaccine produces antibodies against the actual SARS-CoV-2 virus, you might test positive on an antibody test. Nonetheless, this does not mean that you are sick. It means that you have antibodies against the virus.

Fact: You can still get coronavirus disease after the vaccination

None of the available coronavirus vaccines is 100% effective. As such, you can still get infected with coronavirus after getting vaccinated. Vaccination will keep you from getting seriously sick even if you are infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Furthermore, you can still spread the virus to other people if you are infected after vaccination.

Fact: Even if you have had coronavirus disease, you still need the vaccine

If you’ve had a previous infection, getting the coronavirus vaccine is still essential. The illness only helps your body get some natural immunity against the disease. It is not clear how long this lasts though some evidence shows it is short-lived. Getting the coronavirus vaccine protects you from serious infections in the future. However, you are advised to delay the vaccination until ninety days after your diagnosis.

With the facts and myths you have come across on the COVID-19 vaccine addressed above, you can now confidently get vaccinated. You might assume that because the mortality rate for coronavirus is 1-2%, there is nothing to worry you. However, the rate means coronavirus is ten times more lethal compared to seasonal flu. Furthermore, this rate depends on your underlying medical conditions, sex, and age. It is best to be safe by getting the authorized COVID-19 vaccines.

For a 38 second overview about COVID-19 vaccine benefits, watch the CDC's YouTube video.

How to Get the COVID-19 Vaccination

As of early November 2021, the majority of the adult population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We’re trending in the right direction as more individuals commit to protecting their health conditions as well as others.

The CDC has created a helpful resource for finding COVID-19 vaccination providers near you. Find access to your local vaccine using this CDC resource.

What can you do once fully vaccinated? You can participate in your favorite activities. The CDC says that after full vaccination, it is safe to return to most pre-pandemic activities.

How the COVID-19 Vaccine Impacts Medical Billing

Like most other aspects of life, the coronavirus pandemic has also impacted medical billing.

Whether you're a healthcare provider or pharmacist, you don’t have to figure out your medical billing solutions alone. NCDS is here to help you figure out the latest information about the COVID-19 virus vaccine. We can break down the HRSA COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund while also helping ensure your reimbursement for administering the COVID-19 vaccine.

Contact NCDS Medical Billing to achieve reimbursement results quickly and easily. We’ve created a unique process separate from medical claims billing, and are ready to help.

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