MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT VACCINES

The global coronavirus pandemic has put scientists and health workers from all over the world at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus. In this fight, efforts are being made to find a cure or vaccine for COVID-19 as soon as possible. And while there is an ongoing “race” for a vaccine that will destroy this virus, misinformation about vaccines does not subside. They spread faster than the virus itself.

What does it mean to be vaccinated?! Is there a reason for optimism?! What is complete delusion or misinformation, and what is the truth. The F2N2 team has tried to respond to the present myths about vaccines that are spreading in the public, with facts from official sources with which we present you the real idea of vaccines.

MYTH #1: I received all the vaccines as a child, and now I am protected for the rest of my life.

FACT: Incorrect claim. The immunity we get from the vaccine declines over time.

For infectious diseases where immunization can offer lifelong protection, various simple models can be used to explain the usefulness of vaccination as a method of controlling a particular virus (below, the chart shows that, immunization for measles, for example, has a lifelong effect in 96% of the cases). However, for most diseases, immunity decreases over time and is subsequently enhanced by asymptomatic encounters with the infection.

Prophylactic vaccination has long been considered important, and in many ways ideal tool for controlling infectious diseases. From the earliest onset of measles control and eventual eradication, vaccination has been shown to reduce the incidence of infection, reducing the percentage of the population that is susceptible to many infectious diseases.

Duration of immunity provided by vaccination

The duration of immunity provided with vaccines varies, depending on the different diseases and vaccines. Lifelong immunity is not always provided by natural infection (getting sick) or vaccination. The recommended time to take vaccine doses is aimed at achieving the best immune protection to cover the period of life when the vulnerability to a particular disease is greatest. Many of the vaccines used today are relatively new and the data is constantly being updated. For many diseases, immunity is reduced after a natural infection, and the duration of immunity provided by vaccination varies depending on a number of factors, especially the vaccine itself.

Myth #2: Vaccines cause autism!
FACT: GACVS (The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety) has concluded that there is no evidence of a causal link between MMR (measles, mumps and rubella vaccine) and autism.

Concerns about an alleged causal link between the MMR vaccine and autism have increased in the late 1990s, following the publication of a number of studies claiming an alleged link between natural and vaccine strains of measles virus and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as MMR vaccine with intestinal disease and autism.

For that purpose, the World Health Organization, on the recommendation of the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS), has commissioned an independent research of the literature to examine/investigate the risk of autism associated with the MMR vaccine. The outcome of the review was presented to the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety for review.

Impaired autism spectrum disorder is a continuation of cognitive and neurological disorders, including autism. The prevalence of autism varies significantly from case to case, from 0.7 to 21.1 in 10,000 children, while the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder is estimated at 1 to 6 in 1,000 children. Eleven epidemiological studies (recent studies mostly in the last four years) have been reviewed in detail, taking into account the design of the study (including environmental, controlled cases, and student checks) and limitations. The review concluded that existing studies show no evidence of a link between the risk of autism and the MMR vaccine. Three laboratory studies were also reviewed. It has been concluded that the alleged persistence of the measles vaccine in the gastrointestinal tract of children with autism and inflammatory bowel disease requires further examination through independent studies before confirming laboratory findings can be found in published studies that have serious limitations.

Based on the presented detailed review, GACVS concluded that there was no evidence of a causal link between the MMR vaccine and autism. The commission believes the case is likely to be clarified with a better understanding of the causes of autism. GACVS also concluded that there was no evidence to support routine use of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines in relation to the combined vaccine, a strategy that puts children at increased risk from incomplete immunization. Therefore, GACVS recommends that no change be made to current MMR vaccination practices.

MYTH #3: Adults do not need vaccines
FACT: Immunization does not refer only to children

We have explained above about the duration of immunity obtained by vaccination. Therefore, it is clear that adults also need immunization with a vaccine for certain diseases and their prevention.

Recommended vaccines for adults

In addition to seasonal flu vaccines and the TDP vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), this list of vaccines for 19- to 26-year-olds includes the HPV vaccine, which protects against human papillomavirus-causing viruses that cause most cervical, anal, and other cancers.

A herpes vaccine that protects against complications from the disease is recommended for healthy adults over the age of 50 or older. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine that protects against serious pneumococcal disease, including meningitis and bloodstream infections (recommended for all adults 65 years of age and older). This immunization is especially important for adults with health problems.

MYTH #4: The BCG vaccine prevents coronavirus infection
FACT: Allegations that BCG vaccine prevents coronavirus infection are inaccurate

The BCG vaccine is given to children around the world to fight tuberculosis. A message spread via the WhatsApp app in Arabic says that if you have a round scar on the shoulder joint, you may be 75% protected by COVID-19.

There is no evidence that the BCG vaccine protects people from being infected with the COVID-19 virus. Two clinical examinations are under way, and the World Health Organization will evaluate the evidence when it is available. In the absence of evidence, the WHO does not recommend vaccination with BCG to prevent COVID-19.

MYTH #5: Vaccines contain unsafe toxins
FACT:  Science shows that formaldehyde in vaccines is harmless

People are concerned about the use of formaldehyde, mercury or aluminum in vaccines. It is true that this organic compound is toxic to the human body in a certain amount, but only a small dose, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is used in vaccines. In fact, according to the FDA, formaldehyde is produced at high rates by our own metabolic systems and there is no scientific evidence that low levels of mercury or aluminum in vaccines can be harmful to health.

The FDA reports that there are 50 to 70 times more formaldehyde present in a newborn than in a single dose of vaccine. In short, science shows that formaldehyde in vaccines is harmless.

MYTH #6: The vaccine can infect my child with the disease it’s supposed to protect him from

FACT: Vaccine recipients experience the body’s immune response to the vaccine, not the disease itself.

Vaccines can cause mild symptoms that resemble those of the disease they protect from. A common misconception is that these symptoms signal infection. In fact, in a small percentage (less than 1% in a million cases) where symptoms occur, vaccine recipients experience an immune response from the vaccine and not of the disease itself. There is only one reported case in which the vaccine causes disease as a side effect. It is a vaccine against OPV (oral polio vaccine) that is no longer in use. Since then, vaccines have been safe to use for decades and are strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Conclusion

Although the Internet offers many benefits, it is important to keep in mind that it is also a great a source of misinformation.

Healthcare professionals are particularly concerned about the impact on people seeking medical information on many websites and portals. Vaccine-related misinformation is so widespread on the Internet. In March 2019, the American Academy of Pediatrics sent a letter urging major technology companies to fight this trend.

The fight against vaccine-related misinformation comes as a result of documented increased suspicions about the effectiveness of vaccines. In fact, the WHO has named vaccine suspicions among the top 10 global health threats in 2019.