Don't Be Afraid of the COVID-19 Vaccination
Dr. Mechelle Moragne is a family practitioner practicing in Jackson, TN. Dr. Moragne specializes in comprehensive healthcare for people of all ages. In addition to diagnosing and treating illnesses, family practitioners also focus on preventative care with routine checkups, tests, and personalized coaching on how to maintain... more
As a primary care provider, I am asked questions daily about receiving the Covid-19 vaccination. My patients approach this subject thinking I'm going to validate their reasons why they shouldn't get vaccinated. I have heard it all. "I have high blood pressure, diabetes, or I have an autoimmune condition." Other reasons are “those scientists rushed to develop this vaccine too quickly and we don't know all of the side effects." Lastly, there are those who want to wait and see what will happen to others before their minds are totally made about getting this vaccination. My response has not changed. I have not wavered. I'm very firm on this. I want you to get the vaccine.
Why Get Vaccinated?
Getting vaccinated protects you, protects your family, and protects your community from the devastation of this deadly virus. Deaths from Covid-19 have fast become the leading cause of death in people age 45 years and above. It has surpassed heart disease and cancer which for decades have been the two leading causes of death in this age group. Patients with heart disease are not dying suddenly after a diagnosis. Even patients with cancer are not going from a diagnosis of illness to death. Covid on the other hand has unfortunately claimed the lives of a significant number of individuals within several weeks of a diagnosis.
What is the solution to reversing this trend? Vaccinations. Mass vaccinations. Many states are already seeing a decrease in Covid hospitalizations due to the mass Covid-19 vaccination. This is vitally important. What was happening before the vaccinations were that hospitals were not able to take care of patients with heart attacks or strokes. The facilities were overwhelmed with covid cases. After exceeding capacity, patients were diverted to hospitals in neighboring cities or states.
Let's Dispel The Myths
You will not develop Covid-19 from the vaccination. You are likely to have some soreness at the injection site. You may even have a slight fever or mild headache but it quickly resolves. I have yet to have anyone develop diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, or been incapacitated for several days after the vaccination.
The Covid-19 vaccine will not alter your DNA. The two vaccines available now are mRNA vaccines. The "m" in mRNA is for messenger. It brings a message to your immune system. Your immune system in turn learns about the coronavirus and is able to attack it if invades your body. After the message is decoded, it is destroyed. It does not hang around in your cells so there is no alteration of your DNA.
The Covid-19 vaccines do not have any coronavirus. It is impossible for you to develop an infection from Covid-19 from the vaccination. If you do become sick it's because you have been exposed to Covid-19 prior to getting the vaccination and not from the vaccination itself.
If you are concerned that you have an autoimmune disorder, discuss getting the vaccination with your physician. The consensus is to still vaccinate. You may need to pre-medicate with Benadryl or Tylenol but this should not prohibit you from getting vaccinated. If you recovered from a Covid-19 infection, you are still urged to get vaccinated about 60-90 days from the infection. It's still not known how low immunity lasts from the natural covid infection.
In closing, check with your local health departments or call your physician's offices to find out where you can receive the vaccine. In some states, the Covid-19 vaccinations are being offered at local pharmacies. If you have a chance to get this vaccination, I strongly urge you to do so. The vaccine is offered at no cost to you. When we all do our part by getting vaccinated, we can bring this pandemic to an end.
