COVID-19 vaccine

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[[File:COVID-19 vaccines (2021) A.jpg|thumb|300px|COVID-19 vaccines from several companies]]
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The '''COVID-19 vaccine''' is a type of vaccine that immunizes patients to the disease [[COVID-19]], caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. During their first year, they saved almost 20 million lives.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Watson |first=Oliver J. |last2=Barnsley |first2=Gregory |last3=Toor |first3=Jaspreet |last4=Hogan |first4=Alexandra B. |last5=Winskill |first5=Peter |last6=Ghani |first6=Azra C. |date=2022-09-01 |title=Global impact of the first year of COVID-19 vaccination: a mathematical modelling study |url=https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(22)00320-6/abstract |journal=The Lancet Infectious Diseases |language=English |volume=22 |issue=9 |pages=1293–1302 |doi=10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00320-6 |issn=1473-3099 |pmid=35753318}}</ref> Nonetheless, there are many concerns about the new coronavirus vaccine scaremongering about its safety and effectiveness. This article seeks to refute and dispel those myths.

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==Vaccines==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!  !!  !!  !!  !! colspan="2" | Efficacy against 
|-
! Name !! Technology !! Doses !! Manufacturer !! Symptoms  !! Severe disease 
|-
| Comirnaty (tozinameran) || mRNA || 2 (3-12 weeks apart depending on country)<ref name=CNBC>[https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/29/covid-vaccine-comparing-jnj-pfizer-moderna-novavax.html The best Covid vaccine is the one you can get — here’s how they compare], [CNBC]. Retrieved 4 August 2021</ref><ref>[https://www.wionews.com/world/finland-recommends-giving-covid-vaccine-at-12-week-interval-361110 Finland recommends giving Covid vaccine at 12-week interval]. Retrieved 4 August 2021</ref><ref>[https://www.usatodaysun.com/pfizer-produces-much-stronger-protection-if-doses-months-apart-study/ Pfizer produces much stronger protection if doses months apart: study], USA Today Sun — retrieved 8/4/2021</ref> with boosters approved for the immunocompromised <ref name=MSN>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/fda-authorizes-covid-19-vaccine-boosters-for-the-immunocompromised/ar-AANgo9z FDA authorizes COVID-19 vaccine boosters for the immunocompromised] (13 August, 2021.) ''MSN''.</ref>|| Pfizer/BioNtech<br/>{{cf|us}} {{cf|de}} || 84% (against delta)<ref>[https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1920 Covid-19: Pfizer vaccine’s efficacy declined from 96% to 84% four months after second dose, company reports] ''BMJ'' 2021;374:n1920.</ref>  || 88% (against delta)<ref name=CDCAugust>[https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7038e1.htm Comparative Effectiveness of Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) Vaccines in Preventing COVID-19 Hospitalizations Among Adults Without Immunocompromising Conditions — United States, March–August 2021] ''CDC'', September 24, 2021.</ref> 
|-
| Spikevax (elasomeran) || mRNA || 2 (4 weeks apart)<ref name=CNBC></ref> with boosters approved for the immunocompromised <ref name=MSN></ref> || Moderna<br/>{{cf|us}} || 93%<ref>[https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/05/moderna-covid-vaccine-booster-produces-robust-response-against-delta.html Moderna says its Covid vaccine booster produced ‘robust’ immune response against delta] by Berkeley Lovelace Jr. (Aug 5, 2021) ''CNBC''.</ref> || 93%<ref name=CDCAugust/>
|-
| Covishield, Vaxzevria (ChAdOx1-S [recombinant]) || Viral vector || 2 (4 weeks-12 weeks apart) || Oxford-AstraZeneca<br/>{{cf|uk}} {{cf|se}} || 60% (against delta)<ref name=katella>[https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/covid-19-vaccine-comparison Comparing the COVID-19 Vaccines: How Are They Different?] by Kathy Katella (August 4, 2021) ''Yale Medicine''.</ref> || 93% (against delta)<ref name=katella/>
|-
| Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine || Viral vector || 1<ref name=CNBC></ref> with no booster suggested yet <ref name=MSN></ref> || Johnson & Johnson<br/>{{cf|us}} || 64% (against mutations)<ref name=katella/> || 71% <ref name=CDCAugust/>
|-
| Sputnik V (Gam-COVID-Vac) || Viral vector || 2 (3 weeks apart)<ref name=Pace>[https://www.pacehospital.com/sputnik-v-vaccine-efficacy-doses-side-effects-and-price Sputnik V Vaccine - Efficacy, Doses, Side Effects and Price] (Retrieved August 11, 2021.) ''Pace Hospitals''</ref> with booster every 6 months afterwards || Gamaleya Research Institute<br/>{{cf|ru}} || 83% against delta<ref>[https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/global-event-news/sputnik-v-dose-83-percent-effective-on-delta-variant-lower-than-previously-reported-90-percent-russia.html Sputnik V Dose 83% Effective On Delta Variant, Lower Than Previously Reported 90%: Russia] (August 11, 2021) ''Republic World''.</ref> (previously reported as ~90%)<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/russias-sputnik-v-vaccine-less-effective-against-delta-variant-tass-2021-06-29/ Russia's Sputnik V shot around 90% effective against Delta variant, developers say] (June 29, 2021.) ''Reuters''.</ref> || 
|-
| Covaxin || Inactivated virus  || 2 (4 weeks apart)<ref>[https://www.thequint.com/coronavirus/covaxin-gap-4-weeks-protection-post-1st-dose-not-high-icmr-head | Covaxin Gap 4 Weeks as Protection of 1st Dose Not High: ICMR Head] ''The Quint'' (retrieved 4 August, 2021.)</ref> || Bharat Biotech<br/>{{cf|in}} || 77.8%<ref name=geddes>[https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/indias-covaxin-vaccine-shows-high-efficacy-against-covid-19-infections-phase-3 India’s “Covaxin” vaccine shows high efficacy against COVID-19 infections in phase 3 trial: A vaccine that was authorised by the Indian government ahead of phase 3 trials now shows promising results, making Covaxin a potentially valuable addition to the global armoury of vaccines against COVID-19.] by Linda Geddes (6 July 2021) ''Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance''.</ref> || 93.4%<ref name=geddes/>
|-
| BBIBP-CorV<ref name=Sinopharmwho>[https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-sinopharm-covid-19-vaccine-what-you-need-to-know "The Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine: What you need to know"], ''World Health Organization''. Published May 10, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.</ref> || Inactivated virus  || 2 (3-4 weeks apart)<ref name=Sinopharmwho/> || Sinopharm<br/>{{cf|cn}} || 79%<ref name=sinopharm-who>[https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-sinopharm-covid-19-vaccine-what-you-need-to-know The Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine: What you need to know] (10 May 2021) ''World Health Organization''.</ref> || 79%<ref name=sinopharm-who/>
|-
| CoronaVac (PiCoVacc)<ref name=Sinopvacwho>[https://www.who.int/news/item/01-06-2021-who-validates-sinovac-covid-19-vaccine-for-emergency-use-and-issues-interim-policy-recommendations WHO validates Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use and issues interim policy recommendations] (1 June 2021) ''World Health Organization''.</ref> || Inactivated virus  || 2 (2-4 weeks apart)<ref name=Sinopvacwho/> with a booster possible/required<ref>[https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202108/1231014.shtml Sinovac booster shot gives big increase in neutralizing antibodies: study] ''Global Times China'' (August, 9 2021.)</ref> || Sinovac Biotech<br/>{{cf|cn}} || 51%<ref name=Sinopvacwho/> || 100%<ref name=Sinopvacwho/> 
|-
| Covovax<ref>[https://www.verywellhealth.com/novavax-covid-19-vaccine-5093292 | An Overview of the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine] ''Verywellhealth.com'' (June 18, 2021.)(</ref> || Protein || 2 (4 weeks apart)<ref name=CNBC></ref> || Novavax<br/>{{cf|us}} || 91-93%<ref name=katella/> || 
|}

=== Omicron and boosters ===
In November 2021, a heavily mutated strain was discovered in South Africa. Despite many travel restrictions being put in place, the Omicron variant quickly spread across the world, becoming the dominant strain in many countries. This variant has proven to be far more transmissible than Delta and is capable of evading vaccines. The UK Health Security Agency found that two doses of the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccine provided little protection against infection.<ref>https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/omicron-variant-booster-effectiveness-covid-b1973868.html</ref> However, two doses are still thought to provide good protection against severe illness.<ref>https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness/work.html</ref>

As a result, booster vaccines became more widespread, with the UK Health Security Agency estimating that a booster jab was 70-75% effective at preventing infection. <ref>https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/10/boosters-give-70percent-75percent-protection-against-mild-disease-from-omicron-uk-health-security-agency-says.html</ref> The CDC also recommended getting a booster, five months after receiving the Pfizer jabs, six months after receiving the Moderna jabs and two months after receiving the Johnson & Johnson jab.<ref>https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html</ref> 
Scientific consensus therefore generally recommends two or more boosters per year for the large majority of adults and children.

==Arguments==
====The vaccine is built on experimental technology====
[[File:Katalin Kariko light corrected.jpeg|right|160x160px|thumb|{{wpl|Katalin Karikó||;}} Hungarian biochemist, the researcher behind RNA-mediated immune activation]]

mRNA technology has been in the works for 20 years for other viruses;<ref>Richner JM, Himansu S, Dowd KA, Butler SL, Salazar V, Fox JM, Julander JG, Tang WW, Shresta S, Pierson TC, Ciaramella G, Diamond MS. Modified mRNA Vaccines Protect against Zika Virus Infection. Cell. 2017 Mar 9;168(6):1114-1125.e10. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.02.017.</ref> it is only now that they have been put to use, and has helped us develop a vaccine in record times.<ref>[https://www.wired.co.uk/article/mrna-vaccine-revolution-katalin-kariko The mRNA vaccine revolution is just beginning] by Stephen Buranyi (3 June, 2021) ''WIRED'' </ref>

{{wpl|Katalin Karikó}} (Westernized name order; Hungarian name order Karikó Katalin) started her research on mRNA therapies in 1990, and, in spite of what faculty members deemed a career dead-end in a university system that encourages programs that will bring in grants, continued her work even after being demoted. She eventually met immunologist Drew Weissman, with whom she worked on the problem for a decade until they finally found a solution to the human immune system rejecting foreign, synthetic mRNA instructions—something anyone who thinks human DNA replacement is easy should stop to think about. Their solution (incorporating modified nucleosides into mRNA) was published in 2005 and was largely not paid attention to. It was, however, noticed in Germany by BioNTech founders Özlem Türeci and Ugur Sahin, and in the United States by Moderna founder Derrick Rossi. Both Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech licensed Karikó and Weissman's research in the production of their vaccines.<ref>[https://www.nature.com/articles/nrd.2017.243] Pardi, N., Hogan, M., Porter, F. et al. mRNA vaccines — a new era in vaccinology. Nat Rev Drug Discov 17, 261–279 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd.2017.243. Retrieved 8/10/2021</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/08/health/coronavirus-mrna-kariko.html | Kati Kariko Helped Shield the World From the Coronavirus.] The New York Times, 04/08/2021. Retrieved 8/10/2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.statnews.com/2020/11/10/the-story-of-mrna-how-a-once-dismissed-idea-became-a-leading-technology-in-the-covid-vaccine-race/ The story of mRNA: How a once-dismissed idea became a leading technology in the Covid vaccine race] STAT, 11/10/2020. Retrieved 8/10/2021.</ref>

====Not enough research was done; they were rushed to the market====
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was not much need to speed up vaccination process for any pathogen. Time taken by clinical trials continued to rise even after considerable industrial effort,<ref>Martin, L., Hutchens, M. & Hawkins, C. [https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd.2017.21 Clinical trial cycle times continue to increase despite industry efforts.] Nat Rev Drug Discov 16, 157 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd.2017.21</ref> often taking many months and even years. There was considerable lack of infrastructure, few consenting volunteers, absence of control groups and high waiting times between phases. Furthermore, most potential inoculations and medications failed their respective clinical trials.

However, the demand for coronavirus vaccines rose after medical health crises in many countries; leading to great investment from governments and corporations and global cooperation from scientists working day and night for a solution. Research was sped up for the development of a vaccine by overlapping different phases of the trials. It also received a significant head start with past knowledge of other coronaviruses,<ref>https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/coronaviruses</ref> so it took no time to realise the spike protein could be targeted by a vaccine, giving them a goal to work towards immediately. Research on a vaccine for coronaviruses has been in development since 2002, after the SARS outbreak. Governments sent a huge influx of funding<ref>Estimating the cost of vaccine development against epidemic infectious diseases: a cost minimisation study by Gouglas, Dimitrios et al. The Lancet Global Health, Volume 6, Issue 12, e1386 - e1396</ref> and volunteers, while the anti-vaxx risked their lives to act as a [[control group]] for us. How nice of them!

On 10 August, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed over 110 possible vaccine candidates currently in clinical development (and 184 more in pre-clinical),<ref>[https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/draft-landscape-of-covid-19-candidate-vaccines The COVID-19 vaccine tracker and landscape compiles detailed information of each COVID-19 vaccine candidate in development by closely monitoring their progress through the pipeline.]</ref> but it was unlikely that many of those would be approved for use. There were, however, some legitimate concerns regarding the adverse effects of too much speed, <i>especially</i> from the provaxx crowd,<ref>[https://respectfulinsolence.com/2020/09/24/antivaxxers-projection-covid-19-vaccine/ No, the rush for a COVID-19 vaccine is not turning provaccine advocates into antivaxxers]</ref> after the launch of "Operation Warp Speed" under the [[Trump|Trump administration]], which seeked to force the FDA to approve a coronavirus vaccine without any evidence of safety.

====People who have already had the virus don't need the vaccine====
Immunity acquired from vaccination has shown to be more long lasting than from an infection<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/28/health/coronavirus-vaccines-immunity.html</ref> and covers a broader range of {{wpl|epitopes}} (the part of an antigen molecule to which an antibody attaches itself), allowing vaccination to combat the newer and more advanced variants.<ref>https://stm.sciencemag.org/content/13/600/eabi9915.abstract</ref> Post-infection immunity is scattershot as the immune system tries everything and the kitchen sink against the virus in the case of infection, whereas the vaccines prime the immune system to attack the spike protein—which is how the virus attaches itself in the ''beginning'' of the infection. Vaccines aim to stop the infection in its tracks; infection-based immunity is far less reliable.<ref name=MoleArsTech>[https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/10/prior-infection-vs-vaccination-why-everyone-should-get-a-covid-19-shot/ No, your antibodies are not better than vaccination: An explainer] by Beth Mole (October 8, 2021) ''Ars Technica''</ref>

====People don’t need to wear a mask after getting vaccinated====
Getting vaccinated significantly reduces risk of infection and the severity of the infection. It also reduces risk of transmission, but less so. This means that vaccination will not prevent you from spreading it to other people like those with compromised immune systems—such as those with heart diseases, or those with autoimmune diseases or cancer undergoing treatment to name a few.<ref>[https://health.clevelandclinic.org/already-vaccinated-heres-why-you-shouldnt-stop-wearing-your-face-mask-yet/ Already Vaccinated? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Stop Wearing Your Face Mask Yet]
(March 8, 2021.) ''Cleveland Clinic''</ref> However, it will reduce its risk.<ref>https://www.healthline.com/health-news/vaccinated-people-can-transmit-the-coronavirus-but-its-still-more-likely-if-youre-unvaccinated</ref> Of course, mask wearing would be unnecessary if everyone else around you were vaccinated.

====The vaccines have serious chronic side effects====
"[[#They do not work|Breakthrough cases]]" are unfortunately common,<ref>[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness/index.html COVID-19 Vaccines are Effective] ''Centers for Disease Control'' (June 22, 2022.)</ref> however, vaccines have a high efficacy of preventing severe disease that leads to hospitalization ([[#Vaccines|above table]]). Compare that to the coronavirus, with a death toll of more than 4 million.<ref>https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/</ref> 

Common side effects for the vaccines vary depending on the vaccine in question, and include:<ref name=WHO>[https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/side-effects-of-covid-19-vaccines Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines] ''World Health Organization'' (March 21, 2021.) </ref><ref>[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect/after.html Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine] ''Centers for Disease Control'' (August 6, 2021.)</ref>
* Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
* Fever
* Fatigue/tiredness
* Headache 
* Muscle pain
* Chills 
* Diarrhea
* Nausea

These side effects can last 1-3 days. Individuals should alert their local health officials if symptoms last longer than this. The second dose may come with stronger side effects—this is normal, and indicates that your body is building up immunity (and getting riled up thanks to memory cells seeing foes.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXfEK8G8CUI How The Immune System ACTUALLY Works – IMMUNE] from the [YouTube] channel ''Kurtzgesagt''. (Retrieved August 12, 2021)</ref><ref>[https://www.labroots.com/trending/cell-and-molecular-biology/7665/understanding-memory-immune-system Understanding the Memory of the Immune System] ''Labroots'' (December 26, 2017.)</ref>)

Anaphylaxis is an extremely rare side effect; but just to be on the safe side, this is why it is often asked that individuals stay at the vaccination site for 15-30 minutes. If you have had an extreme reaction to the first dose (assuming two-dose vaccine), you should not get the second one.<ref name=WHO/> 

Another rare side effect is myocarditis, emphasis on ''rare''. Even for the most-at-risk group (males aged 12-29) the risk is 41 in one million, rarer than the risk of long-term COVID symptoms, or even the death rate from COVID-19.<ref name=MoleArsTech/>

A recent study based on vaccine surveillance data from 6.2 million people found no associations between vaccinations and serious health outcomes 1 to 21 days after vaccination.<ref>Klein NP, Lewis N, Goddard K, et al. Surveillance for Adverse Events After COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination. JAMA. Published online September 03, 2021. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.15072</ref>

====They have long term side effects====
Severe side effects from vaccines are extremely rare, and if they do occur, they usually show up within the first weeks—so not long-term. Unlike most medications, vaccines are not taken for an extended period of time. The injections (be it one to three times, per vaccine efficacy requirements) drop the payload which is eliminated by the body in a matter of months. Conversely, 10% of COVID-19 infections lead to long-term COVID side effects.<ref>[https://www.uab.edu/reporter/resources/be-healthy/item/9544-what-are-the-long-term-side-effects-of-covid-vaccines-3-things-to-know | What are the long-term side effects of COVID vaccines? 3 things to know] by Matt Windsor (July 1, 2021) ''The University of Alabama at Birmingham''</ref> There is some evidence that vaccines may even help alleviate "long COVID" symptoms, to the tune of 30-40% of patients reporting improvement.<ref>[https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/vaccines-long-covid | Why Vaccines May Be Helping Some With Long COVID] by Kathy Katella (April 21, 2021) ''Yale Medicine''</ref>

====They can alter DNA====
None of the vaccines’ payload ever enters the nucleus, where the DNA is kept. mRNA is translated into proteins in the {{wpl|cytoplasm||,}} not the nucleus. They use a chemical messenger to instruct cells to make proteins that mimic the outer surface of the new coronavirus, thereby creating immunity.<ref>[https://www.nature.com/articles/s41578-021-00281-4 Let’s talk about lipid nanoparticles.] Nat Rev Mater 6, 99 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-021-00281-4</ref>

====They shed DNA====
Inactivated virus vaccines cannot shed DNA, since, well, they are inactivated, are no more, have ceased to be, are bereft of life, rest in peace, are a collection of ex-viruses, and are hence incapable of replication. The mRNA vaccines only contain instructions for making spike protein, therefore they also can’t replicate. What '''does''' shed material likely to harm one, however, is a coronavirus infection, where the spike proteins are still alive and very keen to replicate.<ref name="sbm">[https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/covid-19-vaccine-shedding-nonsense/ “The vaccinated are a danger to the unvaccinated because of shedding!”: The latest COVID-19 antivaccine disinformation] by David Gorski (May 3, 2021) ''Science-Based Medicine''.</ref> As [[David Gorski]] from [[Science Based Medicine]] attests:
{{quotebox|Yes, spike protein causes problems ''when it is being made in large quantities as part of a coronavirus infection''. Vaccine safety monitoring of hundreds of millions of people after having received hundreds of millions of doses of these vaccines have failed to find any safety signal suggestive of any of the claims made by Palevsky. In addition, it’s just plain wrong to say that we don’t know how long the body keeps making spike protein after vaccination. The vaccines were designed such that the modified mRNA from the vaccine lasts longer than “natural” mRNA, but not indefinitely.<ref name="sbm" />}}

====They cause infertility====
[[File:Homology between Syncytin-1 and SARS-CoV-2 S Protein.jpg|thumb|200px|After aligning the genetic code of the Syncytin-1 (protein involved with reproduction in the placenta) and S Protein from SARS-CoV-2, we can see the common five amino acids in the sequences. However, this is expected for a genetic sequence of 1273 amino acids (like the proteins from the coronavirus).<ref>https://twitter.com/andrew_croxford/status/1334593606196187136</ref>]]

This is an old urban myth spread through blogposts and social media of the anti-vaccination movement, now repackaged to stigmatise coronavirus vaccines in times of crisis to further unscientific opposition to vaccines.

Arising from the "concerns" of a German epidemiologist, that the vaccine might make women infertile because of a shared genetic code between the coronavirus spike protein and the placenta (the organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy), which would make the immune system attack both because it can’t tell the difference, is completely irrational, as the shared genetic amino acid sequence between the two is simply too short.<ref>[https://www.deplatformdisease.com/blog/are-covid-19-vaccines-going-to-cause-infertility Are COVID-19 Vaccines Going To Cause Infertility?] by Edward Nirenberg (December 3, 2020) in ''Deplatform Disease''.</ref>

Furthermore, this risk has been continuously disproven in clinical trials. Women involved in COVID-19 clinical trials became pregnant and gave birth after getting vaccinated which demonstrates that any concern that there would be problems arising from similarities between the placenta and vaccine spike protein is unfounded.<ref> [https://www.henryford.com/blog/2021/04/fertility-rumor-covid-vaccine Here’s Where That COVID-19 Vaccine Infertility Myth Came From—And Why It Is Not True] by Henry Ford Health System Staff (April 23, 2021) ''Henry Ford''.</ref> The CDC has issued a recommendation that people who are pregnant and breastfeeding should get the vaccine because people within that group are more likely to develop a more severe case of COVID-19, but that is preventable if [[Herd immunity|enough people get the vaccine]]. According to current research, there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems for men or women.<ref>[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding] (Updated August 11, 2021) ''CDC''. </ref>

However, there have been a number of studies suggesting that COVID-19 and Long COVID reduce fertility in especially men more than women but more research must be conducted to ascertain a more complete picture of the problem.<ref>Abobaker A, Raba AA. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7171435/ Does COVID-19 affect male fertility?]. World J Urol. 2021;39(3):975-976. doi:10.1007/s00345-020-03208-w</ref> In recent studies about Long COVID, men that contracted COVID-19 reported they had erectile problems 3 times more than men in the control group when comparing men with similar ages mental physical health and BMI. 28% of men who tested positive reported erectile dysfunction problems in comparison to 9% in the control group. Infertility from COVID-19 occurs because the virus and vascular damage from the virus remains in the area after the infection occurs.<ref>[https://boingboing.net/2021/08/12/new-studies-show-evidence-of-long-covid-penis-problems.html New studies show evidence of Long Covid Penis Problems]
by Thom Dunn (4:56 AM Thursday, 12 August, 2021) ''Boing Boing''.</ref> To summarise: the vaccine probably won’t make you infertile; but the coronavirus will. So don’t be a dick, and get the shot.<sup><i>[pun not intended]</i></sup>

====They do not work====
[[File:Breakthrough cases.jpg|right|360px|thumb|This is not the image of an ineffective vaccine.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/context/cdc-breakthrough-infections/94390e3a-5e45-44a5-ac40-2744e4e25f2e/ Read: Internal CDC document on breakthrough infections] (Updated Jul 30, 2021 at 7:45 PM) ''[[The Washington Post]]''</ref>]]

Anti-vaxx proponents cite the possibility of infection even after vaccination as evidence that the coronavirus vaccine is inefficacious, [[Willful ignorance|ignoring]] the fact that vaccination does lower the chances of infection and hospitalisation after infection. The purpose of vaccination is not to reduce cases; it is to save lives. This does not necessarily mean saving the lives of those infected with COVID-19, but also others who might need ICU treatment as well—if the ICUs are full with COVID-19 patients, there's nowhere to go when one's heart is at its last.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/09/10/cullman-al-man-dies-hospitals-full-icus-turn-away-covid/8281712002/ Alabama man dies of cardiac event after 43 hospitals with full ICUs turned him away] by Hadley Hitson (10 Sep, 2021) for ''The Montgomery Advisor'' via ''USA Today''</ref>

Cases where fully vaccinated individuals become infected, undergo hospitalisation or die are known as “breakthrough cases”. These are incredibly rare, but still expected, as the immune system is chaotic and no vaccines can be 100% effective.<ref>[https://www.kff.org/policy-watch/covid-19-vaccine-breakthrough-cases-data-from-the-states/ COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Cases: Data from the States] by Jennifer Kates, Lindsey Dawson, Emma Anderson, Anna Rouw Follow, Josh Michaud Follow, and Natalie Singer (30 Jul, 2021) ''KFF''</ref> 

And should one say that the vaccines are useless because they're not a magic bullet that gives immunity to any and all variants till forever, bear in mind that H1N1 (often unfairly called the Spanish Flu) is still around—and deadly. It's been with us for over a hundred years, and a variation of it last caused a pandemic in 2009—and it was ''still'' far tamer than the SARS-CoV-2 virus is.<ref>[https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/swine-flu/symptoms-causes/syc-20378103 | H1N1 flu (swine flu)] (Retrieved 18 August, 2021) ''Mayo Clinic''</ref> The 2009 H1N1 pandemic caused an estimated '' 203,000'' deaths globally,<ref>[https://publichealth.gwu.edu/content/2009-pandemic-flu-death-toll-much-higher-official-worldwide-estimates | 2009 Pandemic Flu Death Toll Much Higher Than Official Worldwide Estimates] (November 26, 2013) ''The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services''</ref> and it may be best that we not include current global COVID-19 deaths because of how fast the number changes. (Spoiler alert: it's way more than 203,000.) 

Nowadays, H1N1 is one of the viruses/virii the seasonal flu vaccine targets. It's retooled every year in response to mutations and what various Influenza A strains are circulating through scientific consensus by global scientists. [[Anti-vaxx|Unless you're a selfish prick]], you're probably used to getting it yearly. <ref>[https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/keyfacts.htm Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine] (Page last reviewed June 8, 2021) ''Centers for Disease Control''</ref> <ref>[https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccine-selection.htm Selecting Viruses for the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine] (Page last reviewed October 26, 2020) ''Centers for Disease Control''</ref>

As of 23 August 2021, Pfizer/BioNTech's Comirnaty has FDA approval for adults, with emergency authorization for the 12-15 age group.<ref>[https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-covid-19-vaccine FDA Approves First COVID-19 Vaccine] ''Centers for Disease Control'' (23 August, 2021)</ref>

====They make you magnetic====
{{main|Human magnet}}
The vaccines do not make one magnetic,<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2021/06/23/the-unfiltered-truth-behind-human-magnetism-vaccines-and-covid-19/ The Unfiltered Truth Behind Human Magnetism, Vaccines, And COVID-19] ''Forbes '' (Jun 23, 2021.)</ref> in spite of the <strike>unfortunately</strike> ''aptly'' named Dr. Sherri Tenpenny testifying so in Ohio with a bit of failed show-and-tell later in the same session by a registered nurse who demanded the crowd for answers why a key supposedly stuck to her chest and neck.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/06/09/doctor-sherri-tenpenny-testimony-ohio-lawmakers-vaccines-magnetized-5-g/7616027002/ GOP-invited Ohio doctor Sherri Tenpenny falsely tells Ohio lawmakers COVID-19 shots 'magnetize' people, create 5G 'interfaces'] ''USA Today'' (June 9, 2021.)</ref>  [[human magnet|We're frankly a little confused]], as this is something RW used to have to explain as not real for [[woo|less deadly scammy reasons]].

====They contain aborted fetal cells====
This is a misconception that appeals strongly to people who are [[anti-abortion]]. Aborted fetal cells are ''not'' contained in the most popular COVID-19 vaccines, although they were used to ''test'' the vaccine. The cell line used in testing was [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HEK_293_cells HEK-293], which was obtained from a [[fetus]] that happened to be aborted in the 1960-1970s.<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3224126/ Immortalized cells and one oncogene in malignant transformation: old insights on new explanation] by Vadym M. Kavsan et al. (23 May 2011). ''BMC Cell Biol.'' 12:23. doi:10.1186/1471-2121-12-23</ref> Contrary to what anti-vaxxers may claim, the purpose of the abortion was not to obtain the HEK cells. It makes absolutely zero sense to reject the COVID-19 vaccine based solely on the fact it was tested on HEK-293 cells, as almost ''all'' modern medicines have been tested on it. It's nearly impossible to avoid using pharmaceutical products that have not been tested on HEK cells – if using medicines/vaccines tested on them is "unethical", you can say goodbye to modern medicine. In fact, it is estimated that the top 20 medications prescribed in the US have been tested on HEK cell lines.<ref>[https://www.patheos.com/blogs/throughcatholiclenses/2021/01/if-any-drug-tested-on-hek-293-is-immoral-goodbye-modern-medicine/ If any drug tested on HEK-293 is immoral, goodbye modern medicine.] by Matthew P. Schneider (January 28, 2021) ''Patheos''.</ref>

====They clot your blood====
The cases of blood clotting have been well below the natural frequency without vaccination—that's to say, from the time ''before'' the vaccines were ready, severe cases of Covid-19 saw blood clotting in 20-40% of patients. Conversely, these blood clots have only been seen in Johnson & Johnson/Janssen and AstraZeneca vaccines—to the tune of 35 known cases in the former and 300 in the latter, and ''none'' have been reported with mRNA vaccines. For a yearly US perspective, roughly 900,000 people experience a clot and 100,000 die of one.<ref>[https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2021/07/blood-clotting-covid19.php | Blood clotting, Covid-19 and vaccines] by Kylene Metzger (July 7, 2021) ''University of Utah Health''</ref><ref name=YM>[https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/coronavirus-vaccine-blood-clots | The Johnson & Johnson Vaccine and Blood Clots: What You Need to Know] by Kathy Katella (4 August, 2021) ''Yale Medicine''</ref>

So cases of VITT (vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia) do exist, but they are rare: getting sick with Covid-19 carries higher risk than normal or when vaccinated, so on the whole, health professionals recommend you get the vaccine, even if it is Johnson & Johnson/Janssen or AstraZeneca.<ref name=YM></ref>
<!--

There have been cases of uncommon types of blood clots received after shots of Johnson&Johnson and AstraZeneca, leading the CDC to pause the use of J&J and 13 countries in the EU suspending use of AZ.

This rare type of blood clots is known as cerebral venous sinus thromboses (CVST), that forms in the veins that drain blood from the brain, reducing oxygen supply in the brain. CVST in these patients has been associated with a low platelet count, a sign of an inflammatory auto-immune process, something that can be triggered by a vaccine.
{Also mention; TTS (Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome)}

But first, some statistics; as of April 13, out of 6.8 million doses of J&J administered in the USA alone, only 6 people developed CSVT. All the cases were among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination.<ref>[https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/joint-cdc-and-fda-statement-johnson-johnson-covid-19-vaccine Joint CDC and FDA Statement on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine] ''US Food and Drug Administration'' (April 13, 2021.)</ref> As of March 10, 

https://www.hematology.org/covid-19/vaccine-induced-immune-thrombotic-thrombocytopenia

https://www.tga.gov.au/periodic/covid-19-vaccine-weekly-safety-report-05-08-2021



-->

{{quotebox|Antivaxxers love to say that vaccines aren’t subject to enough safety regulations and oversight.

How do they explain that the CDC and FDA acted so incredibly quickly and decisively to investigate a complication that has occurred in less than 1 in a million people?

The scientific and regulatory processes are sound. The system works and it works well.<ref>https://twitter.com/RyanMarino/status/1381983421459804162</ref>}}

==== It's the Mark of the Beast ====
Some Evangelical Christians have claimed that the COVID-19 vaccine is the [[Number of the Beast|Mark of the Beast]] or that it is the preparation for it.<ref>Elizabeth Dwoskin, [https://web.archive.org/web/20210324013338/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/02/16/covid-vaccine-misinformation-evangelical-mark-beast/ On social media, vaccine misinformation mixes with extreme faith]. Archived from ''The Washington Post'', 16 February 2021.</ref> This is due to the fact that most of them are Republicans, with many of them having become [[antivaxxers]] due to [[QAnon]].

One interpretation hinges on a conflation, or claimed derivation,<ref>https://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2020/10/christian-group-warns-new-covid-vaccine-is-mark-of-the-beast/</ref> between the Ancient Greek terms χάραξ (charax) (meaning potentially "a pointed stake" and thus speculatively involving a needle)<ref>https://biblehub.com/greek/5482.htm</ref> and χάραγμα (charagma) meaning "a stamp, impress" or "sculpture; engraving, a stamp, sign".<ref>https://biblehub.com/greek/5480.htm</ref> They certainly aren't the same term and, though related, the latter does not derive from the former but rather from χᾰρᾰ́σσω (kharássō).<ref>[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%CF%87%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%B1%CE%BA%CF%84%CE%AE%CF%81 "χαρακτήρ"] at Wiktionary.</ref> The English word ''character'' derives from χᾰρᾰ́σσω (kharássō) too,<ref>[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/character#Etymology "character"] at Wiktionary.</ref> yet quite obviously has nothing to do with a needle, ''per se''.<ref group="note">You could have a character who ''is'' a needle or a vaccine. But we're getting off in the weeds here...</ref> Also, even if we suspended our justified disbelief and took it as fact that the Book of Revelation refers to a vaccine as the Mark of the Beast, there remains the question: for what reason should it be considered that this is talking about the COVID-19 vaccine ''in particular'' and not some ''other'' vaccine — or even ''any and all'' vaccines? The answers to these questions are certain to vary, and many will rely on further speculation and personal interpretation. Overall, this is rife with unsound leaps in logic, requiring a [[faith|suspension of critical thinking]] to buy into.

== Situation in 2024 ==
=== Vaccine effectiveness ===
On 1 February 2024, the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC) estimated that the COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection has been 54% (95% CI = 46%–60%) in the period from September 2023 till January 2024 for immunocompetent adults recently vaccinated (median 52 days since vaccination) with a XBB.1.5–derived vaccine in the U.S. compared with those who didn't receive an updated vaccine.<ref>[https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/pdfs/mm7304a2-H.pdf Early Estimates of Updated 2023–2024 (Monovalent XBB.1.5) COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Against Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection Attributable to Co-Circulating Omicron Variants Among Immunocompetent Adults — Increasing Community Access to Testing Program, United States, September 2023–January 2024] (1 February 2024, www.cdc.com)</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:COVID-19]]

Categories: COVID-19