Vaccine Myths: The COVID-19 Edition

SCIENCE OF VACCINES
Written By Staff

We’ve started covering some of the most persistent vaccine myths (see: Vaccine Myth: Vaccines are Just Money-Makers for Big Pharma and Doctors), and will continue to bring you evidence-based information to help you understand the safety and science of vaccines.

With so many stories circulating about COVID-19 these days, there’s also a lot of uncertainty and misinformation. While scientists and experts have a long road ahead in terms of fully understanding the new coronavirus and COVID-19, their research can tell us if there’s any evidence to support the current claims related to the disease and vaccination.

Let’s take a look at some of the claims and what the evidence shows.

The claim:

Parents should delay routine vaccinations for children amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

The FACTS:

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC maintain that it’s a priority to stay up-to-date on routine vaccinations during the pandemic.

With workplaces and schools closed, families who are sheltering in place are making the effort to avoid public spaces. That leads some to wonder if they should be avoiding the doctor’s office or delaying vaccinations. In fact, now is an especially important time to continue to monitor the health of young children, and to stay up-to-date with their routine immunizations. Read more on why preventative care matters.

The claim:

Getting the flu vaccine increases your risk of developing COVID-19.

The FACTS:

This claim has not supported by large-scale scientific studies, and oversimplifies current research.

Two small studies, done across one flu season, have suggested that the flu vaccine may increase the risk of viral respiratory infections, and therefore could potentially increase the risk of developing an infection like COVID-19. These studies were based on other coronavirus infections, and didn’t directly study the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. A much larger and longer study was not able to replicate these findings, and more scientific study is needed. For further reading, check out this Health Feedback article.

The claim:

A vaccine for COVID-19 will be available in 12-18 months.

The FACTS:

Scientists and biopharma companies have begun working on a vaccine, but developing a vaccine takes time and there is no guaranteed timeline.

Some vaccine work has had promising early results, but clinical trials will be needed before scientists can determine a reliable timeline. Read more on the pathways to developing a successful vaccine here.

The claim:

We don’t need a COVID-19 vaccine because we can treat the disease with Vitamin C, melatonin, malaria drugs, or [FILL IN THE BLANK].

The FACTS:

There are no drugs presently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent or treat COVID-19. Some treatments, like staying hydrated and taking acetaminophen, help with symptoms.

Many cases of COVID-19 are mild, and at-home symptom tracking and treatment are enough to recover from the infection. However, there are no drugs presently approved to prevent the disease, and herd immunity via a vaccination remains important, particularly for populations at risk for developing serious cases of the disease. Read more on COVID-19 treatments being researched.

Staff
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The Importance of Staying Up-To-Date with Children's Routine Vaccines During the Coronavirus Pandemic