Covid 19 Vaccines FAQs
Author: King Chen (PharmD)
1) Myth: There is no long term monitoring after Health Canada approves the covid vaccines.
Bust: No. Health Canada continues to monitor for long term side effects of vaccines. Manufacturer are also required to submit and new data to Health Canada for at least two years. Health Canada offers to the public the current safety status of covid vaccines. Please refer to this link: https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/vaccine-safety/#summary
The chart below is an example of the safety information you would find on the website. It tells you if there are any new side effects reported and if it was serious or not serious. It also tells you the number of doses that were administered to give you an idea of the frequency of side effects.
2) Myth: mRNA stays in our body forever
Bust: mRNA stays in our body for roughly 50 hours and is then degraded by the body. The spike protein generated by mRNA stays in the body for several days to allow our body to mount immune response.
3) Myth: Covid vaccine was generated too fast.
Bust: Global funding allows trials to be run continuously without the worry of money. Also, mRNA vaccines are much easier to produce than traditional vaccines. Traditional vaccines are made with “predicting” a protein that would allow our body to react and produce immune response. Traditional vaccines take time to make because time is needed to “predict” the protein. mRNA vaccine is fast to make, but had stability issues which has now been overcome with technology.
4) Myth: mRNA can change your DNA
Bust: mRNA is like a food recipe. DNA is the chef. DNA follows the mRNA instructions to make protein (food). Then, the body reacts to the protein and mount a proper immune response. Therefore, mRNA cannot change your DNA.
5) Myth: I don’t need to wear masks and social distance after getting my covid vaccines.
Bust: Please continue masking and distancing because there is no data on Covid-19 vaccines in preventing asymptomatic infection and reducing transmission.
6) Question: How do I get vaccinated?
Answer: Please refer to this link on Ontario guidance for covid-19 vaccine administration. Currently, it is only available for healthcare professionals and certain institutions. Roll-out to community should be coming soon. It will begin with seniors 80 years and plus and move downwards.
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