Search Results for coronavirus

Claims that a Harvard study showed COVID-19 vaccines are ineffective misrepresent the authors’ conclusions, fail to account for the study’s limitations

Drawing conclusions from population-level data is extremely complex and prone to bias and spurious associations. For this reason, the lack of correlation between the vaccination levels and the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infections in different countries and regions can’t be interpreted as evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are ineffective. Although COVID-19 vaccines aren’t 100% effective, multiple scientific studies show that they reduce the risk of infection and are highly effective against severe COVID-19 and death.

Vaccines are highly effective against COVID-19, but unvaccinated people can still endanger vaccinated people, contrary to Tucker Carlson’s claim on Fox News

Vaccines provide more reliable protection against SARS-CoV-2 and with fewer risks attached compared to infection. But as with any other vaccine, they aren’t 100% effective, therefore vaccinated people remain at risk of infection when there is a high level of virus transmission in the community. The high level of transmission is primarily due to unvaccinated people in the community, who are more likely to be infected and therefore transmit the virus to others. They represent the majority of COVID-19 related hospitalization and deaths. At the same time, by fostering the transmission and replication of the virus, unvaccinated people increase the likelihood that new variants emerge.

No evidence that the fall in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia is linked to the use of ivermectin

Despite the lack of evidence supporting a benefit of ivermectin in COVID-19 patients, many countries have promoted its use to fight the pandemic. So far, no reliable studies have provided evidence showing that ivermectin is effective against COVID-19. Furthermore, ivermectin recommendations are generally accompanied by other measures, including vaccination and restrictions. Studies have shown that such measures are effective at limiting the spread of the virus, making it more difficult to determine whether ivermectin has any beneficial effect.

Several laboratories in Spain have cultured and isolated the virus SARS-CoV-2; the claim that the virus doesn’t exist is false

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, has been isolated and sequenced on multiple occasions in multiple countries. These procedures are performed in Biosafety Level 3 laboratories. The Spanish Ministry of Health doesn’t have such facilities, as was indicated in response to a request for information in September 2021, but there are several such facilities in Spain that perform culture and isolation of SARS-CoV-2.

Incorrect vaccine administration is a potential cause of post-vaccine adverse effects, but more research is still needed to confirm or reject this hypothesis

Like many other vaccines, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are recommended to be administered via the intramuscular route, in the deltoid muscle of the shoulder. Some studies posit that accidental IV vaccine administration could explain post-vaccine myocarditis and blood clots, which are rare adverse effects associated with the COVID-19 vaccines. But there isn’t enough information at the moment to establish the exact cause. The studies offer promising findings that scientists will follow up on and the knowledge gained from this research will help make COVID-19 vaccines even safer.

Vaccination enhances immunity in people who previously had COVID-19; little evidence for claim that the Amish community in Lancaster County, PA, have herd immunity

In the spring of 2020, there were many cases of COVID-19 among the Amish and Mennonites of Lancaster County, PA. Because an estimated 90 percent of households had at least one COVID-19 case, this has led to claims that these communities have achieved herd immunity in the area, and because of this, the Amish don’t need to be vaccinated. However, due to low COVID-19 testing among Lancaster County Amish, it is difficult to confirm the herd immunity claim. Additionally, people who previously had a COVID-19 infection benefit from receiving the vaccines by boosting their protective immunity in a safer and more reliable way.

Vaccines are highly effective at reducing the risk of death from COVID-19; The Exposé misleadingly claims the UK vaccination campaign has failed

The majority of adults in the U.K. are vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccinated people have a lower risk of dying from COVID-19, but the large number of people in this group means that they account for the majority of COVID-19 deaths. The vaccines are not completely protective against the disease, and without other measures to prevent transmission of COVID-19, cases and deaths will rise. Rare side effects can occur after receiving COVID-19 vaccines, but the benefits outweigh the risks.

No evidence suggests a causal link between ivermectin recommendation and the decline of COVID-19 cases in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh

After a second devastating COVID-19 wave, India experienced a sharp decline in the number of COVID-19 cases in many regions, some of them promoting ivermectin use. However, no evidence suggests that ivermectin recommendations are behind the drop in COVID-19 cases. Instead, this decline likely results from a high level of immunity among the population due to previous infections and COVID-19 vaccines, combined with control measures such as lockdowns. Public health agencies, including the Indian Council of Medical Research discourage ivermectin use to treat COVID-19, due to the lack of evidence supporting its efficacy for preventing or treating COVID-19.

The benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh their risks; vaccinated children don’t die at a higher rate compared to unvaccinated children

Although children are less likely to become ill and die from COVID-19, they are still susceptible to the virus and some die from the infection. Among children, the mortality rate of COVID-19 is estimated to range from around one per 10,000 to one per 30,000 children infected. Individuals who are vaccinated against COVID-19 aren’t more likely to die compared to unvaccinated individuals. The benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines outweigh their risks.