Read on Twitter
It's been an anxiety inducing year, but roll out of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination shouldn't be another thing to cause worry! Here's a thread on common questions and links to trusted sources.
Q: Will the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine alter my DNA?
A: No. The vaccine contains mRNA which is used by protein making machinery in cells to make a molecule that is expressed on the outside of the cell and induces an immune response. It never enters the nucleus of the cell...
A: No. The vaccine contains mRNA which is used by protein making machinery in cells to make a molecule that is expressed on the outside of the cell and induces an immune response. It never enters the nucleus of the cell...
...which contains the cell's DNA. After making the protein molecule, the mRNA in the vaccine is destroyed by the cell.
Q: Can I get COVID-19 from the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine?
A: No. mRNA vaccines such as this one do not contain the live virus and do not carry a risk of causing COVID-19 in those vaccinated.
A: No. mRNA vaccines such as this one do not contain the live virus and do not carry a risk of causing COVID-19 in those vaccinated.
Q: Aren't mRNA vaccines untested technology?
A: No. Although the technology is relatively new, it has been studied for more than a decade. Tens of thousands of people received the vaccine during the trial with no long-term complications reported.
A: No. Although the technology is relatively new, it has been studied for more than a decade. Tens of thousands of people received the vaccine during the trial with no long-term complications reported.
Q: Can I verify this information with a trusted source?
A: YES!
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/pfizer/pfizer-bioNTech-faqs.html
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/
A: YES!
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/pfizer/pfizer-bioNTech-faqs.html
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/
Q: I have heard that the vaccine can affect women's fertility, is this true?
A: No. There is no evidence to suggest that the immune response to the vaccine will affect future fertility. For more information, click here: https://fullfact.org/health/vaccine-covid-fertility/
A: No. There is no evidence to suggest that the immune response to the vaccine will affect future fertility. For more information, click here: https://fullfact.org/health/vaccine-covid-fertility/
Q: I am pregnant/breastfeeding and have been advised that I should not get the vaccine, why?
A: The vaccine has not been tested on these groups in clinical trials, nor on children. It is not thought to be unsafe but can't be recommended as a result.
A: The vaccine has not been tested on these groups in clinical trials, nor on children. It is not thought to be unsafe but can't be recommended as a result.
Q: I have heard that people with allergies can't have the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, is this true?
A: Partially true: people who have had ANAPHYLACTIC reactions in the past to food/medications/vaccines are advised to avoid the vaccine. More info here: https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/covid-19-advice/pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-and-allergies/
A: Partially true: people who have had ANAPHYLACTIC reactions in the past to food/medications/vaccines are advised to avoid the vaccine. More info here: https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/covid-19-advice/pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-and-allergies/
Q: I have heard that the COVID-19 vaccine has killed people, is this true?
A: No. 6 people died in the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine trial. 4 deaths occurred in those who received the placebo. The 2 post-vaccination deaths were unrelated to the vaccine itself. https://www.fda.gov/media/144246/download#page=50
A: No. 6 people died in the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine trial. 4 deaths occurred in those who received the placebo. The 2 post-vaccination deaths were unrelated to the vaccine itself. https://www.fda.gov/media/144246/download#page=50
Q: But what about the video of the nurse who collapses after getting the vaccine I have seen shared on social media?
A: Reuters news agency have fact checked this, she is alive and well: https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-vaccine-genocide/fact-check-nurse-fainting-after-covid-19-vaccine-not-evidence-of-potential-mass-genocide-idUSKBN28S2F5
A: Reuters news agency have fact checked this, she is alive and well: https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-vaccine-genocide/fact-check-nurse-fainting-after-covid-19-vaccine-not-evidence-of-potential-mass-genocide-idUSKBN28S2F5
Q: Has the vaccine been tested on those of non-white ethnicities?
A: Yes. Of the 42 000 trial participants, almost 4000 (9.1%) were Black/African American, almost 12 000 (28%) Latinx/Hispanic, and almost 2000 (4.3%) Asian. https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-legal-regulatory-and-policy-framework/pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions
A: Yes. Of the 42 000 trial participants, almost 4000 (9.1%) were Black/African American, almost 12 000 (28%) Latinx/Hispanic, and almost 2000 (4.3%) Asian. https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-legal-regulatory-and-policy-framework/pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions
Q: Dear @NuhChief, have you had the vaccine?
A: Yes! I had my first dose last week. I had some pain at the injection site in the following 24 hours but no other side effects.
A: Yes! I had my first dose last week. I had some pain at the injection site in the following 24 hours but no other side effects.
Q: What are the common side effects of the vaccine?
A: Most common events were injection site pain (>80%), fatigue (>60%), and headache (>50%). For further info, see page 15 of: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/943663/Greenbook_chapter_14a_v3.pdf)
A: Most common events were injection site pain (>80%), fatigue (>60%), and headache (>50%). For further info, see page 15 of: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/943663/Greenbook_chapter_14a_v3.pdf)
