Sabe Wellness -Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe?
Health has been forced to the forefront of our minds this past year. Where once many of
us felt confident in our health and ability to remain healthy, this global pandemic has
shaken the confidence of many. Now we have the option to take a vaccine to protect us
from the Covid-19 virus.
Social media is blasting
conflicting and terrifying claims
about this new vaccine.
It seems that every claim is received
with equal acceptance and animosity.
As a Canadian you have the right to ask questions, to be informed, and to make your own
decisions regarding your health. (Thank you, Canada for those freedoms!) Here are
some things you need to know to make your own informed decision about the Covid-19
vaccine.
What do We Know About the Vaccine?
1. Careful Testing All vaccines go through clinical trials to ensure their safety
and effectiveness. The Covid-19 vaccine went through the required testing and
the Development and Licensure of Vaccines to Prevent Covid-19 is a public
document you can read to find what procedures were required. The Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) provided standards for vaccine developers and
continues to monitor its safety.
2. Extra Fast Vaccine Development: The Covid-19 vaccine is an mRNA vaccine
that is different than most other vaccines we have at our disposal. Traditional
vaccines have worked well to get diseases like polio and measles under control,
but they take a very long time to develop. For a traditional vaccine, scientists
grow a vast quantity of a virus and then weaken it by extracting critical pieces.
These weakened viruses are injected either active or inactive, into the patient
thereby imitating an infection. It does not cause the infection, but the body has an
immune response creating antibodies. The new mRNA vaccines have been
researched for 30 years by several groups of researchers. They are relatively easy
to make, much faster to develop, and can generate a stronger type of immunity
because they stimulate the immune system to create both antibodies and killer
cells: a double virus killer (it in no way changes your DNA, as some social media
posts have claimed). Since the only precursor to vaccine development is
determining the gene structure of the virus, years of study are not required and a
testable vaccine can be developed in just a few weeks!
3. Emergency Testing Protocol: Before a product is allowed on the Canadian
market, Health Canada reviews it to confirm that the FDA standards have been
met. Both the FDA and Canada itself provided special Emergency provisions for
speedy testing and delivery of a new vaccine due to the newness and severity of
Covid-19. This speedy testing did NOT allow the manufacturers to skip any
steps! Every step of the regular testing protocol was followed. Governments
have shortened the volunteer testing protocol.
4. Trial Transparency: Transparency is an important part of any drug trial
process. Health Canada has provided details for the clinical trial results for
anyone to read. There are no secrets here.
BUT… What About… Here are the facts about the
claims you've read!
Side Effects:
There have been some short-term mild or moderate reactions but they have resolved
without incident.
The side effects :
37-45% injection site symptoms like pain or swelling
14-25% had at least one whole-body after effect like headache, chills, fatigue,
muscle pain, or fever which appeared within 7 days of the first dose and lasted
just a day or two
People With Allergies:
The CDC recommends that people with allergies can still have the vaccine, however,
people with severe allergic reactions like anaphylactic reactions to other injectable
vaccines should discuss this with their doctor and may be recommended to forgo the
vaccine.
Not for Everyone, But it is for Most
If you have a serious condition, check with your specialist about the risks and value of
taking the new Covid-19 vaccine. You and your specialist can come up with a plan that
is right for your condition.
For most people, the Covid-19 is a safe way to protect our community, family, and
ourselves.
Do you have concerns you want to discuss with a doctor?
Visit www.SabeWellness.ca to book an appointment with a virtual doctor today!