Crap Or Clap: Vaccine Myths And Facts
As the number of cases coming from the second wave of Covid the vaccination drive in India has gained a good face. Still, The Count of fully vaccinated people in India is Mary 5 per cent, with 35,24,34,374 doses administered till July 5, 2021.
Busting the myths around the vaccination drive in India holds relevance as more and more people are opting to get vaccinated and false information is floating around.
1. Crap: if I don't get a fever after vaccination, probably my immune is not working.
Clap: CDC and WHO have pointed out some side effects of vaccines like fever chills headache, nausea, fatigue and soreness of the arm. These reactions show that your immune is at work, making the antibodies.
But getting no side effects does not mean that the immunity is not processing the vaccine. As per the experts- many people will experience no side effects and that's alright and completely normal and the body is forming antibodies against the virus.
2. Crap: Covid vaccines are causing sterility in the population.
Clap: vaccinations work in building immunity against the disease-causing agent. Like any other vaccine (TB, HCG, hepatitis) Covid vaccine also forms antibodies and has nothing to do with gamete formation in the body as per the experts there are no evidence of vaccine linked sterility
3. Crap: I am on my period I will have to reach schedule my vaccination as my immunity is low during periods.
Clap: Menstruation is nothing just shedding of the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus), there are no data showing vaccination and periods are related and there are no scientific researches that menstruating decreases immunity. As per the experts, there is no immunological, endocrine or physiological evidence that vaccination can affect (increase/ delay/ prepone) your periods.
4. Crap: Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not get Covid vaccination as it affects the baby.
Clap: WHO has given a thumbs up to vaccinate pregnant mothers. Going to CDC getting a Covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy can shield you from a severe illness from Covid-19 hence protecting your baby. But India is being cautious and has not suggested vaccinating pregnant women citing the lack of data on the same.
Whereas for lactating mums AIIMS director Randeep Guleria has announced, the vaccine is safe for lactating mothers. WHO's joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (JCVI) has assured that breastfeeding mothers can continue their feeding post vaccination.
5. Crap: I am fully vaccinated; I can go mask-free and no need to follow the Covid protocols.
Clap: Even after full vaccination you are bound to follow all the protocols, as herd immunity is not made yet in India. As per the experts, 70% to 90% of the population need to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. And as any vaccine is not fully efficient, you can catch the virus, might not need hospitalization, but precaution is always better than cure.
