“You may get a few symptoms, but this is the body’s immune reaction – not the virus itself.”
A doctor has gone viral (if you pardon the pun) on social media by debunking some of the biggest Covid-19 vaccine myths. What’s more, he successfully delivered his message in under a minute.
Over the past few weeks, the world has borne witness to the development of numerous vaccines aimed at tackling the coronavirus – the biggest global threat to public health.
However, in some circles there remains scepticism surrounding the Covid-19 vaccine – and jabs in general. Some have also taken issue with how quickly the vaccines were developed.
How much of this stands up to scrutiny?
Not a lot, according to doctor Benjamin Stanway.
Janaway is an NHS doctor who describes himself on LinkedIn as a ‘science communicator’ and on Instagram as a doctor, writer and, um… ‘bellend’.
In a video posted on Twitter, Janaway answered the most frequently asked coronavirus questions, debunking the biggest Covid-19 vaccine myths in the process.
Vaccine mythbusting in one minute.
Please share.#covid19#CovidVaccine pic.twitter.com/CmDAEvsKQ5
— Dr Janaway (@drjanaway) December 2, 2020
Myth #1 – You’re injected with the live virus
Janaway said: “Vaccines are made of an inert or dead form of the virus inserted into the body so the body’s white blood cells – i.e. its immune system – can develop a natural immune response.
“When encountering a wild-type version of the virus, it breaks it down without any symptoms. This breaks the chain of infection and reduces deaths – millions, in fact.”
Myth #2 – Vaccines are linked to conditions such as autism and Alzheimer’s
“The link between vaccines and autism and vaccines and Alzheimer’s has been completely disproven by large-scale studies. There are no dead babies, bits of dead babies or bits of anything else in the vaccine that is going to harm you. This is all a myth.”
Myth #3 – The Covid-19 vaccine isn’t worth the risk
No vaccine is without its risks, but there is a very small chance of harm according to Janaway.
“The actual risks of vaccines are a risk of anaphylactic reaction, which is vanishingly low, and a risk of allergic reaction to foodstuffs that can be used (and they will ask before they give it).
“There’s also the risk of local tissue damage due to putting a needle in somebody, and a small risk of general tissue damage, but once again this is really low. You may get a few symptoms but these are the body’s immune reaction – not the virus itself.”
