The presence of the covid-19 vaccine is an encouragement for those of us who have survived this pandemic for more than one year. Vaccinations are carried out to prevent Covid-19 from infecting us.
It can also be said that vaccination is a complement to health protocols so that we are increasingly kept away from the Covid-19.
[Reasons Why You Should Take Covid-19 Vaccinations]
But unfortunately, there is various hoax information that circulated which caused a lot of stigma in the community to refuse to vaccinate. This information usually comes from irresponsible parties who cause negative stigma and public doubts about the Covid-19 vaccine. In fact, the vaccines that have arrived and are ready to be given to the public have been guaranteed their safety and halalness since their arrival in Indonesia. To be more sure, you can read about 5 myths and facts about Covid-19 vaccination that are often discussed by the public.
Myth: Natural immunity is better than immunity from vaccines
Disease infection has some serious complications. Various kinds of risks can be caused by a disease. The purpose of vaccination is to stimulate the body's immune system to produce the same immune response as a natural infection.
Vaccinations are also carried out to create herd immunity. In large areas with a large population, vaccination is very much needed to prevent infectious diseases, one of which is Covid-19. The risk of an outbreak in our population will be reduced with the ingredients we receive from the Covid-19 vaccine.
Myth: A Covid-19 vaccine can alter our DNA
There are different types of Covid-19 vaccines that have been licensed for use in the world. messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines is one of them. The mRNA vaccine is made using genetic technology, but it doesn't affect a person's DNA in any way. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that the mRNA in vaccines teaches our cells how to make proteins that trigger an immune response. The mRNA from the Covid-19 vaccine never enters the cell nucleus, where our DNA is stored. Therefore mRNA cannot influence or interact with our DNA in any way. In contrast, the Covid-19 mRNA vaccine works with the body's natural defenses to safely develop immunity against disease.
Myth: Vaccines can make someone infected with Covid-19
Many myths spread that the Covid-19 vaccine can make someone infected with Covid-19. The fact is it does not. The official and recommended Covid-19 vaccine or the Covid-19 vaccine currently being developed does not contain the live virus that causes Covid-19. With this, you don't need to worry about getting Covid-19 after vaccinating.
The vaccines we receive will form the immune system in the body, so that later the body will easily recognize and fight the virus that causes Covid-19. It is the formation of the immune system that later may cause some mild symptoms such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that your body is building protection against the virus that causes Covid-19. So, you don't need to be afraid.
If later your body responds to the immune response from the vaccine that is received, there is a chance that you will be positive when you do an antibody test. The antibody tests you get show that you have been infected before and may have some level of protection against the virus.
Myth: Vaccines contain toxins and cause severe side effects
Some time ago, there was a hoax that said Covid-19 vaccination could cause death. The fact is not. A committee for adverse events following immunization (AEFI) said that so far the Covid-19 vaccine does not have any dangerous side effects.
The ingredients in the vaccination do cause side effects, such as low-grade fever, pain or redness at the injection area, fatigue, headaches, muscle and joint pain around the injection area. However, some of the side effects above are mild that generally go away on their own.
Myth: Covid-19 survivors do not have to vaccinate
If you have been treated for Covid-19 with monoclonal antibodies or recovery plasma, you have to wait 90 days before getting the Covid-19 vaccine. You can consult the doctor at the health facility where you are being treated for further questions regarding the eligibility of getting the Covid-19 vaccine.
So, now you know some of the myths and facts about the Covid-19 vaccination. As much as possible don't be easy to believe when you find information that is not clear. By doing vaccination, it will make us return to a normal life and can end this pandemic.
You can also check the vaccination schedule and find out other information related to Covid-19 in Jakarta through the JAKI application which you can download on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Or you can also go to the corona.jakarta.go.id website.
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