COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Finding - Dr. Aneesa Afroze

MercyOne encourages everyone who is eligible and able to receive a vaccination to protect yourself from COVID-19.

Unvaccinated people are more susceptible to the virus and its variants, and people who are not vaccinated make up most COVID-19 hospitalizations today. Many individuals could avoid the hospital entirely if they had been vaccinated.

Still, there are many eligible individuals who have not been vaccinated, citing a number of reasons or concerns. In this episode, we bring those concerns to infectious disease expert Aneesa Afroze, MD, to provide additional context and even dispel some myths.

• Claim: The vaccine is experimental and not safe. 
• Fact: The vaccine has Emergency Use Authorization and with more than 350 million doses administered in the U.S. the vaccine has received the most intense safety monitoring of any vaccine in history. Note: The Pfizer vaccine received FDA approval on August 23, 2021.
  
  
• Claim: The vaccine may cause infertility or impact pregnancy.
• Fact:  There is nothing to indicate the vaccines impact the ability to conceive a child. There were no significant safety concerns observed during clinical trials. The vaccine when given in the third trimester of pregnancy will allow your baby to obtain some protection through antibodies, and antibodies can be passed through breastmilk.  Read more: MercyOne maternity experts support COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy
   
• Claim: Young and healthy people don't need to worry about COVID-19.
• Fact: While it's true that most people experience mild symptoms and recover, the virus can cause severe health risks and some people still have symptoms for months after they are infected. Individuals requiring hospitalizations today include increasing numbers of individuals ages 40 and up. Nationally, COVID-19 deaths have included people from all age groups.

Read more COVID-19 vaccine facts here.

Crowded hospitals can strain available resources and impact other people who need care, unrelated to COVID-19.  This is why it is important to protect yourself and do your part so everyone can receive the care they need.

Find a MercyOne vaccine location by visiting MercyOne.org/covid19vaccine

What questions do you have about the COVID-19 vaccine? Do you have questions about the variants of the virus?  Send us your feedback by emailing podcast@mercyhealth.com, or fill out the submission form at MercyOne.org/podcast

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