It feels like the pandemic has gone on forever, but the truth is COVID-19 is a relatively new and frightening virus. Know the facts about the COVID-19 vaccine.

This is Public Health is brought to you in partnership with the Tuscarawas County Health Department.

Education and science are our best defenses against the unknown. We’ve been talking about the coronavirus for months, often mixing fact with fiction. When it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine, you should arm yourself with the truth and encourage others to do the same. Below are some common myths about the vaccine.

5 Myths (& 5 Truths!) About the COVID-19 Vaccine

“I’ve heard the COVID-19 vaccine will cause infertility.”
There is no evidence that the vaccine will cause an issue with fertility, nor that it will negatively affect current or future pregnancies. Both the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend the vaccine to pregnant mothers. More than 100,000 pregnant people have been vaccinated.

“Isn’t natural immunity better than vaccine immunity?”
Actually, vaccines outlast natural immunity. They are strong and long-lasting, all without the dangers of illness and possible death that accompany COVID-19.

“I don’t need the vaccine. We’re close to herd immunity.”
Herd immunity is tricky. The percentage of those needing to be vaccinated to reach herd immunity varies by disease and isn’t yet known for COVID-19. Additionally, scientists hope to achieve “protective immunity”, as COVID-19 might never be fully eradicated (similar to measles, polio, rotavirus, etc.).

“I’ve heard the vaccine can leak out of my body.”
Vaccine/virus shedding can occur when vaccines contain a live virus. The COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the US do not.

“The vaccine could kill me. It’s not worth the risk.”
This is false. In the time span of December 2020 to May 2021 there were 4,800 reported deaths following a COVID-19 vaccine- that’s less than 0.002%. In comparison, as of June 7, 2021, nearly 600,000 people have died in the US from COVID-19. While there have been very rare reports of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome in association with the J&J vaccine, the CDC and FDA have both determined that the vaccine is safe, and the benefits outweigh the risk.

Get Your Free Vaccine Today!

If you’re still in need of the COVID-19 vaccine, please make an appointment with the Tuscarawas County Health Department. Call them at (330) 343-5555 ext. 174 or 181. Phone lines are open Monday-Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. The two-dose Moderna vaccine (ages 18+) is always available. Ask about availability for the Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Appointments take place at 897 East Iron Avenue in Dover, OH 44622

You can visit www.tchdnow.org or find them on Facebook for more information about the Tuscarawas County Health Department and their services.

Audrey Mattevi
Reporting