Search Results for coronavirus

There is no risk of infertility from COVID-19 vaccines due to cross-reactivity with placenta proteins, as SARS-CoV-2 and placenta proteins are different

Frontrunner COVID-19 vaccines have been found safe during Phase III clinical trials enrolling dozens of thousands of patients. Claims of vaccine induced infertility due to the presence of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in them are illogical as we would then see a peak of infertility among COVID-19 patients or during winter when many people get infected by other, benign, coronaviruses. The viral proteins contained in the vaccines are different from the proteins present in our body.

Study on vaccinated and unvaccinated children used a dubious metric for comparing disease incidence in both groups

Large-scale, reputable studies did not find a greater incidence of adverse health outcomes in vaccinated children compared to unvaccinated children. The authors of the study cited as the basis for this claim created a new metric that was not validated as a reliable proxy indicator to compare the incidence of illness in vaccinated and unvaccinated children. Due to this, the conclusions of the study are questionable.

Dozens of clinical trials ongoing to investigate whether vitamin D prevents COVID-19; no firm evidence yet

Several studies reported lower levels of vitamin D in COVID-19 patients. However, it remains unclear whether low vitamin D levels increase the risk of infection and severe outcomes, is a consequence of the disease, or is simply more common in patients who are already in ill health. Several of the studies that found an association between vitamin D levels and COVID-19 infection or severity did not account for confounding factors such as ethnicity, body mass index, or underlying health condition, which are known risk factors for the disease. Further research is needed to determine whether vitamin D might play a role in the prevention of and treatment of COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccine candidates are rigorously tested for safety during clinical trials, unlike thalidomide; misleading to equate the two

In spite of the expedited development timeline, COVID-19 vaccine candidates remain subjected to the same level of safety standards as any other vaccine, and must demonstrate clinical efficacy and safety before being approved for use. Thus far, COVID-19 vaccine frontrunners, such as those by Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca/Oxford, have demonstrated a high level of safety during clinical trials.

No evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause more severe disease; antibody-dependent enhancement has not been observed in clinical trials

Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) occurs when antibodies are unable to neutralize a virus’ infectivity, but instead enhance a virus’ ability to infect cells. Although ADE has been observed in humans with the dengue vaccine and a vaccine candidate for the respiratory syncytial virus, the evidence from COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials so far have not shown more severe disease occurring in vaccinated participants. People who have been given the COVID-19 vaccine will still be closely monitored to completely rule out the possibility of ADE.

Face masks, handwashing, and vaccination do not weaken the immune system, and are effective measures to reduce the spread of infectious diseases

Public health measures such as vaccination, wearing face masks, or frequent handwashing do not reduce the ability of a person’s immune system to fight infections. On the contrary, these measures mitigate the spread of pathogens in the community and protect individuals from infectious diseases, including COVID-19. A balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and reduced stress levels can also help maintain a healthy immune system.

Danish face mask study did not show that masks were ineffective at reducing spread of COVID-19; study was underpowered and results were inconclusive

Public health authorities like the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended the general public to use face masks primarily to protect other people from the mask wearer in the event that the wearer is infected (source control), rather than to protect the wearer from becoming infected (prevention). Several scientific studies have shown that wearing a mask helps to reduce the release of infectious droplets and aerosols into the air, thereby reducing the spread of COVID-19 from infected people.

Non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as lockdowns and wearing face masks, are effective measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission, contrary to claims in viral video

Scientific evidence indicates that lockdowns are an effective measure to reduce the spread and burden of COVID-19. However, lockdowns should not be used as a primary control measure, as they can also cause profound negative effects on a community due to disruptions in healthcare and supply chains. Testing, contact tracing, and isolation of positive cases are public health strategies that can help prevent and identify community outbreaks. Combined with widespread use of face masks, such measures can help reduce disease transmission and avoid further lockdowns.