Vaccines stimulate immunity to infectious diseases with the purpose of reducing the risk of disease transmission, severe illness, and death. By this measure, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are indeed vaccines. Evidence from clinical trials and real-world data show that they reduce the risk of infection, serious illness, and death from COVID-19.
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines may cause mild cases of myocarditis on rare occasions. However, the risk of myocarditis and other severe cardiovascular problems is higher following COVID-19 than following vaccination. When this is weighed against the vaccines’ effectiveness against severe disease, it shows that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh their possible risks.
The COVID-19 vaccines are estimated to have saved 14 million lives worldwide within their first year. While there are extremely rare instances of heart inflammation and blood clots following vaccination, these risks are far outweighed by the lives saved. While excess deaths were observed from 2020 to 2022, the vast majority are due directly or indirectly to COVID-19 itself. The data that we have shows no association with the COVID-19 vaccines.
PCR tests work by detecting a virus’ genetic material in biological samples like blood or saliva. These tests are highly sensitive and specific. Trace amounts of viral genetic material, left behind after an initial infection is over, can still be detected by PCR tests even when the infected person is no longer contagious. While PCR tests are excellent at detecting current and recent infections, there can be uncertainty when it comes to using them to determine if a person is still contagious.
Epidemiological studies consistently show that smokers are less likely to develop Parkinson’s. This isn’t a reason to start smoking, as the health risks associated with it far outweigh any potential benefits. However, this research suggests that specific ingredients in cigarettes might have therapeutic potential in Parkinson’s. Nicotine, the main component of cigarettes, has been shown to protect neurons against damage in rodents and monkeys. However, clinical trials have failed to show a similar effect in people with Parkinson’s.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was one of the few tools available to reduce the risk of serious illness and death at the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The vaccine underwent rigorous testing to ensure it was safe and effective. In 2021, a rare but serious condition involving blood clots with low platelet level—known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia—was associated with the vaccine. However, the chance that this condition will occur after vaccination is very low, and the benefits of vaccination outweigh this small risk.
Clinical trials and ongoing vaccine monitoring efforts show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at reducing a person’s risk of severe disease and death. Like any medical intervention, vaccines also come with risks. While COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are linked to a slight increase in the risk of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), COVID-19 itself is associated with a greater risk of heart inflammation and other health complications. On balance, the benefits of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines outweigh their risks.
Randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard when it comes to testing the safety and effectiveness of a medical treatment. Unlike anecdotes, randomized controlled trials contain several safeguards, such as experimental controls, blinding, and randomization, which help to reduce the risk of bias and improve the reliability of a trial’s findings.
In April 2024, a copy of a New Jersey doctor’s office policy regarding sports physicals for student athletes circulated on social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram. The policy stated that “Covid vaccinations affect your risk” of “sudden cardiac death on the playing field”. At the time of writing, one Instagram post sharing the policy … Continued
Immunity from either COVID-19 vaccination or from infection, exerts selective pressure on a virus and can drive viral evolution, potentially leading to new variants. However, not vaccinating and allowing the virus to spread freely carries the risk of severe disease and death and would also increase the virus’ opportunities to mutate. COVID-19 vaccines, while imperfect, help reduce the spread of the virus and the risk of severe illness and death.
