One look at social media can result in several opinions, and theories, about the safety and potential health effects one might encounter after receiving one of the newly-developed vaccines for COVID-19.
Tracking devices, DNA altering, and sterilization have been some of the theories and conspiracies spread across social media in an effort to encourage people not to get a vaccine when its their turn in line.
But Dr. Tom Huth, the Vice President of Medical Affairs for Reid Health in Richmond, said these widely-spread conspiracy theories are not true and the necessary tests show the shots are safe and effective for the general public, despite the vaccine’s quick development.
“More than 25,000 people have received the Pfizer vaccine as part of the Phase 3 studies; it’s amazingly side effect free,” Huth told News Center 7′s Kayla Courvell Tuesday.
Huth added the research and findings from the vaccine studies are why he will be the first in line to receive a shot when the first shipment of Pfizer vaccines arrives at Reid Health Thursday.
Huth addressed some of these theories, like tracking chips placed in the vaccine, and said its flat-out untrue.
“That’s impossible. I don’t even think that technology exists. It’s hard to debunk something so outlandish like that one is,” he said.
Some of the more believable theories about potential side effects like erectile dysfunction or sterilization also do not appear to hold water either, based on the findings, according to Huth.
“It doesn’t appear in any of the briefing documents for the FDA. And that’s actually a side effect that’s been seen with the infection, with one of the (long-term) COVID effects,” Huth said.
An no, the vaccine will not get into your DNA and alter it.
“(The vaccine) actually bypasses the genes of the cell. So it has no interaction with the DNA at all,” Huth said.
Some have even raised concerns on a religious level, claiming the vaccine was developed with the fetal tissue of aborted babies. That, however, is also just a rumor and is not true, Huth said.
“(The vaccine is) generated in special synthetic needs in a lab and has nothing to do with fetal tissue that I’m aware of,” he said.
Huth concluded the data and research all shows its a good idea for members of the general public to get vaccinated.
“When you balance the risks and benefits, it seems like it’s a really good idea,” he said.
Cox Media Group
