COVID-19 Claims and Facts

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• CLAIM: Children are not affected by COVID-19.
  
  FACT: Data shows children are increasingly being affected by COVID-19 in more recent months.
  • Recent data from the CDC¹ show the number of hospital admissions due to COVID-19 has increased greatly among youth and young adults, ages 0 to 17 years old, during July 2021 and August 2021.
  • Children’s bodies are very different from adults. The FDA was very careful in studying vaccines before issuing them for emergency use in those 5 years of age or younger.
  • Unlike the mild side effects that some may experience after vaccination, children who get infected with COVID-19 are at risk of getting very sick. Although serious illness from COVID-19 is rare in children, side effects from the vaccine are even rarer and are much milder.
  • As of October 2021,² children ages 5 through 11 years have experienced more than 8,300 COVID-19 related hospitalizations and nearly 100 deaths from COVID-19. In fact, COVID-19 ranks as one of the top 10 causes of death for children aged 5 through 11 years.
  • Adults should take additional safety measures³ to build a protective shield around the children in their community by getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#new-hospital-admissions

  ² https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1102-PediatricCOVID-19Vaccine.html

  ³ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

• CLAIM: The COVID-19 vaccine for children is not safe.
  
  FACT: The COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 to 11 years has undergone thorough evaluations by both FDA and CDC. COVID-19 vaccines have and will continue to undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.
  • The COVID-19 vaccine for children is safe and effective. As of November 2, 2021,¹ it has undergone rigorous review, and has been authorized by FDA and recommended by CDC for children between the ages of 5 to 11 years, after thorough testing for safety in thousands of children.
  • COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 through 11 years were developed and tested in the same way as adult COVID-19 vaccines. In clinical trials, vaccine side effects were mild and similar to those seen in adults and with other vaccines recommended for children.
  • The most common side effect ² was a sore arm. These side effects may affect your child’s ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Many children have no side effects at all, and severe allergic reactions are rare.
  • COVID-19 vaccines continue to use several monitoring systems ³ to track vaccines and ensure their safety.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1102-PediatricCOVID-19Vaccine.html

  2 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect/after.html

  3 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/reporting-systems.html

• CLAIM: It is safer for my child to build immunity by getting infected with COVID-19 than to build immunity by getting the vaccine.
  
  FACT: Getting children ages 5 years and older vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to protect them from COVID-19.
  • No one should try to expose themselves or others to COVID-19 on purpose.¹ Children’s risk of COVID-19 infection is similar to adults. When children get COVID-19, they may be sick for several days and miss school and other opportunities for learning and playing with others. The risk of severe disease from COVID-19 — even in children — is far greater than the risk of any side effect from vaccination.
  • Vaccination provides a strong boost in protection and lessens the severity of illness² due to the COVID-19 disease.
  • Without vaccination, more risks from the COVID-19 disease may lead to other conditions such as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children³ (MIS-C), neurologic symptoms and cognitive disfunction⁴ among long haulers,*⁵ hospitalization, or death.
  • As of December 1, 2021 CDC’s COVID Data Tracker⁶ reported:
    • Nearly 50% of patients with MIS-C were in the 5-11 age group.
    • California and Georgia led the US states in total cases of reported MIS-C.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/understanding-risk.html

  ² https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html

  ³ https://www.cdc.gov/mis/mis-c.html

  ⁴ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acn3.51350

  ⁵ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html

  ⁶ https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#mis-national-surveillance

  *Long Haulers are those who experience ongoing health problems four or more weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

• CLAIM: The COVID-19 vaccine affects fertility or puberty.
  
  FACT: The COVID-19 vaccine does not affect fertility or puberty.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics¹ (AAP) states that unfounded claims linking COVID-19 vaccines to infertility have been scientifically disproven. There is no evidence that the vaccine can lead to loss of fertility. While fertility was not specifically studied in the clinical trials of the vaccine, no loss of fertility has been reported among trial participants or among the millions who have received the vaccines since their FDA authorization, and no signs of infertility appeared in animal studies. Similarly, there is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine affects puberty.
  • As of November 2, 2021, the AAP recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all children and adolescents 5 years of age and older² who do not have contraindications using a vaccine authorized by the FDA.
  • There are several routine vaccines3 recommended during adolescence, including those directed against influenza, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, human papillomavirus, and bacterial meningitis.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/covid-19-vaccine-for-children/about-the-covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions/

  ² https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2021/american-academy-of-pediatrics-applauds-cdc-approval-of-safe-effective-covid-19-vaccine-for-children-ages-5-11/

  ³ https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html

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• CLAIM: Cloth and medical masks are dangerous and deprive the wearer of oxygen and impede lung function.
  
  FACT: Regular use of cloth and medical masks when properly worn, does not cause CO₂ intoxication nor oxygen deficiency.
  • The CDC states¹ cloth masks and surgical masks do not provide an airtight fit across the face. The Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) escapes into the air through the mask when you breathe out or talk. Also, CO₂ molecules are small enough to easily pass right through mask material, but the larger size of respiratory droplets carrying the virus will not.
  • The prolonged use of medical masks can be uncomfortable. However, it does not lead to CO₂ intoxication nor oxygen deficiency.² While wearing a medical mask, make sure it fits properly and that it is tight enough to allow you to breathe normally. Do not re-use a disposable mask and always change it as soon as it gets damp.
  • To ensure a mask is properly ventilated, correctly cleaned or disposed of, and will protect the wearer from COVID-19, visit the CDC’s Your Guide to Masks¹ webpage.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html
  ² https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters#oxygen

  *Medical masks (also known as surgical masks) are flat or pleated; they are affixed to the head with straps or have ear loops.

  

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• CLAIM: The CDC has recalled the PCR test.
  
  FACT: The CDC is changing its current polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay from a single-plex to detect only SARS-CoV-2 to a multiplex assay to detect SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza.
  • Although the CDC is asking to withdraw the FDA EUA for the single-plex assay,¹ the purpose is for the CDC to take one product off the list of approved tests and replace it with a combination test. 
  • Such multiplex tests can look for both the novel coronavirus and multiple types of influenza at the same time—which conserves testing materials and allows public health labs to do flu surveillance while testing for SARS-CoV-2, or the virus that causes COVID-19 infection.
  • There is no recall or discontinuation of PCR tests² due to claims that PCR tests are not reliable at detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dls/locs/2021/07-21-2021-lab-alert-Changes_CDC_RT-PCR_SARS-CoV-2_Testing_1.html
  ² https://www.factcheck.org/2021/07/scicheck-viral-posts-misrepresent-cdc-announcement-on-covid-19-pcr-test/

• CLAIM: It does not matter when you get tested for COVID-19.
  
  FACT: There are several situations where COVID-19 testing may be required, including seeking medical attention if you have COVID-19 symptoms, returning to work or school, visiting someone in the hospital or long-term care facility, and taking an international flight. Testing at the right time helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 to family, friends, and the public.
  • Each of these situations above may have a specific time window for testing. For example, if you have COVID-19 symptoms and your test is positive (even if it was an antigen test), isolate in an appropriate and safe location. Self-tests are available in stores, pharmacies, and online. Visit the FDA website for a list of authorized tests.¹  Follow the County’s Home Isolation Instructions.²
    
  • If you have had a recent exposure, you should quarantine and obtain a COVID-19 test (i.e., PCR, or antigen test) in 3 to 5 days after exposure. If your test is negative continue to quarantine as you could potentially be positive the next day - this is the reason you should quarantine.³
  • Even if you don’t have symptoms and do not think you have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19, using a self-test before gathering indoors with others can give you information about your risk of spreading COVID-19. Testing is critical before gathering with unvaccinated children, older individuals, those who are immunocompromised, or individuals at risk of severe disease.
  • Self-testing can be done at home for same-day results before traveling. Testing is an excellent idea before traveling to visit a family member or after returning from an international trip. Incoming international flights to the U.S. showing a negative antigen test result is acceptable, if completed within 24 hours before boarding. In these situations, a negative test result only tells you about the day you tested.

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-emergency-use-authorizations-medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics-euas-antigen-diagnostic-tests-sars-cov-2

  ² https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/Epidemiology/
  COVID%20Home%20Isolation%20Instructions%20for%20COVID-19.pdf

   

  ³ https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/Epidemiology/
  covid19/HealthOfficerOrder-Quarantine.pdf
  

• CLAIM: COVID-19 testing kits that include swabs, which are sterilized with ethylene oxide (EO) are unsafe and harmful, since EO is a carcinogen and is one of the main ingredients used to make antifreeze.
  
  FACT: Ethylene oxide is a gas often used to safely sterilize many medical devices, including swabs used in test kits.
  • EO is a gas that doctors and hospitals have often used for decades across the country to sterilize (i.e., remove bacteria from surfaces) or disinfect (i.e., eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses from surfaces) medical equipment to deactivate potentially harmful germs.¹
  • Because EO is a carcinogen, it is tightly regulated and highly controlled. The use of EO will rarely leave trace amounts of product behind since sterilized items must first go through aeration to remove leftover ethylene oxide.²
  • As part of the sterilization process, the manufacturer must confirm and document that the leftover EO level on a medical device is below the specified allowable limit (a level that has minimal health risk) before the device is packaged ready for use.³
  • The gas itself is not used in antifreeze, but is a middle step in the chemical reaction to make other common chemicals, such as ethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol, which are used to make detergents and antifreeze.^4,5
  • The general population may be exposed to ethylene oxide gas through breathing air contaminated by a nearby source like tobacco smoke (i.e., secondhand smoke).⁶

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/note-guidance-limitations-use-ethylene-oxide-manufacture-medicinal-products_en.pdf

  ² https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/sterilization/ethylene-oxide.html

  ³ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/freedom-of-information-responses-from-the-mhra-week-commencing-26-april-2021/freedom-of-information-request-on-use-of-ethylene-oxide-to-sterilise-swabs-used-in-testing-for-covid-19

  ⁴ https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-09/documents/ethylene-oxide.pdf

  ⁵ https://www.americanchemistry.com/ProductsTechnology/Ethylene-Oxide/What-Is-Ethylene-Oxide/

  ⁶ https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/ethylene-oxide

• CLAIM: FDA is recalling all monoclonal antibody therapy for COVID-19.
  
  FACT: The FDA halted some brands of monoclonal antibody therapy treatments, but other types of monoclonal antibody therapies are still available and are effective against Omicron.
  • On January 24, 2022, the FDA halted two types of monoclonal antibody treatments¹—bamlanivimab and etesevimab (given together) and casirivimab and imdevimab (given together under the brand name, REGEN-COV)—since they were found to be ineffective against Omicron variant.
  • However, there is another monoclonal antibody-- sotrovimab– that is expected to work against the Omicron variant. Sotrovimab received Emergency Use Authorization to treat patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for progression to severe disease, including hospitalization or death.
  • Learn more about monoclonal antibody therapy and locations offering treatment on the Treatment for COVID-19² page.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-limits-use-certain-monoclonal-antibodies-treat-covid-19-due-omicron

  ² https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/community_epidemiology/dc/2019-nCoV/Treatment.html

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• CLAIM: The County of San Diego is mandating individuals to get vaccinated.
  
  FACT: No, the County is not; however, the State of California is.
  • Although the County is not "mandating" vaccinations, the State mandates all government employees¹ and persons who work in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and the other health care facility types² to be fully vaccinated.
  • Unvaccinated persons must get tested for COVID-19 twice weekly and wear a surgical mask or higher-level respirator approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health³ (NIOSH).

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/07/26/california-implements-first-in-the-nation-measures-to-encourage-state-employees-and-health-care-workers-to-get-vaccinated/

  ² https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Order-of-the-State-Public-Health-Officer-Health-Care-Worker-Vaccine-Requirement.aspx

   
• CLAIM: CDC VAERS shows reports of deaths directly linked to the COVID-19 vaccine.
  
  FACT: The FDA requires healthcare providers to report any death after COVID-19 vaccination to VAERS, even if it’s unclear of the cause.
  • Reports of adverse events to VAERS following vaccination, including deaths, do not necessarily mean that a vaccine caused a health problem or death.
  • VAERS is an early-warning system used for continuous monitoring¹ that detects problems possibly related to vaccines. Reporting gives CDC and FDA important information to point out health concerns and ensure vaccines are safe in order to protect the public’s health.
  • VAERS accepts reports from anyone.² Patients, parents, caregivers and healthcare providers (HCP) are encouraged to report adverse events after vaccination to VAERS even if it is not clear that the vaccine caused the adverse event. In addition, HCP are required to report certain adverse events after vaccination.
  • More than 383 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered in the United States from December 14, 2020, through September 13, 2021. During this time, VAERS received 7,653 reports of death (0.0020%) among people who received a COVID-19 vaccine.
  • A review of available clinical information, including death certificates, autopsy, and medical records, has not established a causal link to COVID-19 vaccines. 
  • Recent reports³ indicate a possible relationship between the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine and Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a rare and serious adverse event—blood clots with low platelets—which has caused deaths.
    • As of September 8, 2021, more than 14.5 million doses of the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine have been given⁴ in the United States. CDC and FDA identified 46 confirmed reports of people who got the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine and later developed TTS. So far, three of these confirmed cases have resulted in death. 

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/Epidemiology/covid19/
  vaccines/From%20Development%20to%20Distribution%20Handout_ENG_SPAN.pdf
  ² https://vaers.hhs.gov/faq.html
  ³ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/adverse-events.html
  ⁴ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/adverse-events.html

• CLAIM: There is a cost to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
  
  FACT: COVID-19 vaccines are distributed at no cost by states and local communities.
  • Everyone 5 years and older can get a vaccine, at no cost,¹ whether at a County site, through your medical provider, or local pharmacy.
  • You do not need an appointment at County sites, but you may make an appointment, if preferred.
  • You do not need to pay any out-of-pocket costs to get an authorized COVID-19 vaccine—not before, during, or after your appointment.
  • You cannot buy COVID-19 vaccines online. 

   

  Source:

  ¹ https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/community_epidemiology/dc/2019-nCoV/vaccines.html

• CLAIM: I cannot afford to miss work or change my plans to get the vaccine.
  
  FACT: The County and its partners offer many locations and times to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • There are many ways to get vaccinated without changing work schedules or plans.
  • If there is only a specific day open, the Vaccine Schedule by Day¹ webpage offers sites and appointment options 7 days a week.
  • If the distance to the vaccine location is an issue, many local clinics and pharmacies (i.e., Walmart, CVS, Walgreens) offer appointments via https://MyTurn.CA.Gov/.
  • The County and its partners also host community mobile COVID-19 vaccination site events and provide arrangements to homebound San Diegans.
  • For more information or assistance with finding a COVID-19 vaccination site or scheduling an appointment, call 2-1-1.

   

  Source:

  ¹ https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/community_epidemiology/dc/2019-nCoV/vaccines/COVID-19-VaxEvents/Vaccinations-Schedule.html

• CLAIM: It’s too late to get the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
  
  FACT: It’s not too late to vaccinate!
  • It’s not too late! You should get your second shot as close to the recommended 3-week or 4-week interval¹ as possible.
  • The CDC recommends your second dose may be given up to 6 weeks (42 days)² after your first dose. However, if you do receive your second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine earlier or later than recommended, you do not have to restart the vaccine series.
  • People with moderately to severely compromised immune systems should receive an additional dose³ of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial 2 doses.
  • Booster doses⁴ are recommended for the following groups who initially received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine 6 months after their second dose:
    • People 65 years and older
    • People 18 years and older with underlying medical conditions
    • People 18 years and older who live in long-term care settings
    • People 18 years and older who work or live in high-risk settings
  • People 18 years or older who received the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine should receive a booster dose⁴ at least 2 months after the initial dose.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html
  ² https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/covid-19-vaccines-us.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fvaccines%2Fcovid-19%2Finfo-by-product%2Fclinical-considerations.html
  ³ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html

  ⁴ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html

• CLAIM: It’s not worth getting the COVID-19 vaccine since you might still get COVID-19.
  
  FACT: The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risks of COVID-19 infection.
  • Vaccination provides a strong boost in protection and lessens the severity of illness¹ due to the COVID-19 disease.
  • Without vaccination, more risks from the COVID-19 disease may lead to other conditions such as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children² (MIS-C), or neurologic symptoms and cognitive disfunction³ among long haulers.*⁴

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html
  ² https://www.cdc.gov/mis/mis-c.html
  ³ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acn3.51350
  ⁴  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/

  *Long Haulers are those who experience ongoing health problems four or more weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

• CLAIM: I already had COVID-19, so I don’t need the vaccine.
  
  FACT: People who have gotten sick with COVID-19 can still benefit from getting vaccinated.
  • People are advised to get a COVID-19 vaccine even if they have been sick with COVID-19 before. If you were sick from COVID-19, the vaccine should be given 90 days after infection or after receiving antibody therapy. Reinfection is possible,¹ and getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself, your family, and your community and lessen that risk.

   

  Source:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7032e1.htm?s_cid=mm7032e1_w

• CLAIM: If lots of other people get the vaccine, I won’t need it.
  
  FACT: Everyone who is able to get the COVID-19 vaccine should get vaccinated to protect you and your community.
  • Get vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. Evidence is emerging that people get better protection by being fully vaccinated compared with having had COVID-19. One study showed that unvaccinated people who already had COVID-19 are more than 2 times as likely than fully vaccinated people to get COVID-19 again.
  • Building immunity looks different for COVID-19, and the severity of illness is different for each person. Even if you’ve already had COVID-19, the risk of reinfection is still possible, and the risk of hospitalization or death is greater for those who are unvaccinated. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 not only helps you, but also helps stop the chain of transmission and other variants from developing.
  • COVID-19 is still a threat to people who are unvaccinated. Some people who get COVID-19 can become severely ill, which could result in hospitalization, and some people have ongoing health problems several weeks or even longer after getting infected. Even people who did not have symptoms when they were infected can have these ongoing health problems.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7032e1.htm?s_cid=mm7032e1_e&ACSTrackingID=USCDC_921-DM63289&ACSTrackingLabel=MMWR%20Early%20Release%20-%20Vol.%2070%2C%20August%206%2C%202021&deliveryName=USCDC_921-DM63289
  ² https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html

• CLAIM: I don’t need the COVID-19 vaccine as long as I wear a mask.
  
  FACT: Vaccines are a valuable preventive strategy, when available.
  • The main goal of COVID-19 vaccines is to prevent hospitalizations and deaths. However, using multiple tools together¹ to reduce the spread of COVID-19 can provide the greatest level of protection.
  • Vaccination is the primary prevention strategy to reduce your risk of severe sickness due to COVID-19. In addition, masking is highly recommended in various settings.
  • If you are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older, you should wear a mask in indoor public places.
  • In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings.²
    • In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
  ² https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html

• CLAIM: The COVID-19 vaccine affects women’s fertility or harms the fetus if pregnant.
  
  FACT: The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for those who are pregnant due to the well documented risk of COVID-19 and the safety of the vaccine.
  • The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists¹ (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), the two leading organizations representing specialists in obstetric care, recommend that all pregnant individuals be vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • Data has shown that COVID-19 infection puts pregnant people at increased risk² of severe complications and even death.
  • Pregnant individuals who have chosen to wait until after delivery to be vaccinated may be unintentionally exposing themselves to an increased risk of severe illness or death.
  • Those who have recently delivered and were not vaccinated during pregnancy are also strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2021/07/acog-smfm-recommend-covid-19-vaccination-for-pregnant-individuals
  ² https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3320

• CLAIM: Being near someone who received a COVID-19 vaccine can affect my menstrual cycle.
  
  FACT: It is unlikely being near someone who received a COVID-19 vaccine affects your menstrual cycle.
  • Your menstrual cycle cannot be affected¹ by being near someone who received a COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Many things can affect menstrual cycles, including stress, changes in your schedule, problems with sleep, and changes in diet or exercise. Infections may also affect menstrual cycles.

   

  Source:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html

• CLAIM: COVID-19 vaccines alter your DNA.
  
  FACT: It is not possible for COVID-19 vaccines to alter your DNA.
  • COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA¹ in any way. Both mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver instructions (genetic material) to our cells to start building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. However, the material never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept.
  • Learn more about mRNA² and​ viral vector³ COVID-19 vaccines.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html
  ² https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html
  ³ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/viralvector.html

• CLAIM: COVID-19 vaccines are untested and unsafe because they have not been fully approved by the FDA.
  
  FACT: All COVID-19 vaccines administered in the U.S. have undergone a series of clinical trials to make sure they are safe and effective.
  • Development of vaccines for COVID-19 were built on decades of research on coronaviruses and other vaccines. Adenovirus vector¹ research can be traced to the 1950s, while mRNA-based² vaccines began in the 1990s. For example, the importance of spike protein in the vaccine was already known from vaccines for SARS-CoV-1 in 2002³ and MERS-CoV in 2012.⁴ In addition, vaccine trials involving tens of thousands of volunteers were similar in size and length to previous vaccines.
  • As of September 17, 2021, more than 380 million people⁵ in the U.S. have received at least one dose of the three COVID-19 vaccines.
  • As of August 23, 2021, the FDA approved the first COVID-19 vaccine,⁶ Pfizer-BioNTech, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty®⁷ (brand name), or tozinameran (generic name), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age or older.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7712223/
  ² https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1748013219301483
  ³ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2750777/
  ⁴ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26355094/
  ⁵ https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations_vacc-total-admin-rate-total
  ⁶ https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-covid-19-vaccine
  ⁷ https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-comirnatyr-receives-full

• CLAIM: Vaccines contain microchips.
  
  FACT: No, COVID-19 vaccines do not contain microchips.
  • COVID-19 vaccines do not contain microchips.¹ Vaccines are developed to fight against disease and are not administered to track your movement. Vaccines work by stimulating your immune system to produce antibodies, exactly like it would if you were exposed to the disease. After getting vaccinated, you develop immunity to that disease, without having to get the disease first.
  • Learn more about the ingredients² in the COVID-19 vaccinations authorized for use in the United States.
  • Learn more about how mRNA³ COVID-19 vaccines work.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html
  ² https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/covid-19-vaccines-us.html#Appendix-C
  ³ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html

• CLAIM: This is the first-time mRNA has been used in a vaccine.
  
  FACT: mRNA vaccines for the COVID-19 infection are new, but the technology has been used in other vaccines.

  • Researchers have been studying and working with mRNA vaccines for decades. This means the process has been standardized and scaled up, making vaccine development faster.

  • The mRNA vaccines¹ have been studied before for flu, Zika, rabies, and cytomegalovirus (CMV).

  • As soon as the necessary information about the virus that causes COVID-19 was available, scientists began designing the mRNA instructions for cells to build the unique spike protein into an mRNA vaccine.

  • Beyond vaccines, cancer research has used mRNA² to trigger the immune system to target specific cancer cells.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html
  ² https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-03072-8

• CLAIM: Viral vector vaccine technology is brand new and not worth the risk.
  
  FACT: Scientists began creating viral vectors in the 1970s and have since been studied rigorously for safety.

  • For decades, hundreds of scientific studies of viral vector vaccines¹ have been conducted and published worldwide. This includes studies based on viral vector vaccines against infectious diseases, such as Ebola and Zika.²

  • Different types of viral vectors³ are used in research, including retroviruses, adenoviruses, herpes simplex viruses, and adeno-associated viruses. J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines only use the adenovirus viral vector.

  • The viral vector vaccine for COVID-19 is safe and held to the same standards as all other vaccines in the U.S.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/viralvector.html
  ² https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/basics/types/index.html
  ³ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2629647/

• CLAIM: Getting a COVID-19 vaccine will cause me to test positive for COVID-19 on a viral test.
  
  FACT: None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines cause you to test positive on diagnostic viral test, which are used to see if you have a current infection.
  • None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines cause you to test positive on viral tests,¹ which are used to see if you have a current infection.​
  • If your body develops an immune response to vaccination, which is the goal, you may test positive on some antibody tests.² Antibody tests indicate you had a previous infection and that you may have some level of protection against the virus.
  • Learn more about the possibility of COVID-19 illness after vaccination.³

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/diagnostic-testing.html
  ² https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/serology-overview.html
  ³ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness/why-measure-effectiveness/breakthrough-cases.html

• CLAIM: Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine causes you to be magnetic.
  
  FACT: Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will not make you magnetic, including at the site of vaccination which is usually your arm.

  • Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will not make you magnetic,¹ including at the site of vaccination which is usually your arm. COVID-19 vaccines do not contain ingredients that can produce an electromagnetic field at the site of your injection. 
    

  • All COVID-19 vaccines are free from metals.

  • Learn more about the ingredients² in the COVID-19 vaccinations authorized for use in the United States.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html
  ² https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/covid-19-vaccines-us.html#Appendix-C

• CLAIM: The COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States shed or release their components.
  
  FACT: No, none of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use shed or release their components.

  • Vaccine shedding is the term used to describe the release or discharge of any of the vaccine components in or outside of the body.

  • Vaccine shedding can only occur when a vaccine contains a weakened version of the virus.

  • None of the vaccines authorized for use in the U.S. contain a live or attenuated virus.

  • mRNA and viral vector vaccines are the two types of currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines available.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html
  ² https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html
  ³ https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/covid-19-vaccines-us.html#Appendix-C

• CLAIM: Doctors don’t know how long it takes the mRNA from the vaccine to break down in your body.
  
  FACT: It takes approximately two weeks for the mRNA to become effective in the body.
  • The mRNA vaccines are stored at extremely low temperatures as they are sensitive to heat.
  • Once a person is vaccinated, the vaccine remains only long enough—approximately two weeks¹—to train the immune system to recognize and fight the COVID-19 virus before disappearing.
  • Vaccines train our immune systems ² to create proteins that fight disease, known as ‘antibodies’, just as would happen when we are exposed to a disease but—crucially—vaccines work without making us sick.
  • Vaccinated people are protected from getting the disease in question and passing on the pathogen, breaking any chains of transmission.

   

  Sources:

  ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html
  ² https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/herd-immunity-lockdowns-and-covid-19