Debunking Vaccine Myths for Your Patients

Most physicians and medical professionals understand that the COVID-19 vaccines, especially the mRNA vaccines, are safe, effective and the best way out of this pandemic. The general public, however, is inundated with misinformation and may lack the scientific literacy necessary to dispel circulating myths. Many physicians and scientists are speaking out, offering their knowledge and perspective to a public that is both ready to end the pandemic and confused about vaccine safety and efficacy.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Suneel Kamath, MD, staff in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, offers his expertise to the public in a recent article in U.S. News & World Report. Dr. Kamath places the vaccines in the context of other drug studies for patients:

The concerns about theoretical long-term side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are valid, but it’s important to contextualize them. The Pfizer vaccine has been studied in nearly 44,000 people, and the Moderna vaccine in 30,000 people, without any meaningful side effects or concerns for long-term issues. In comparison, most studies of the newest immunotherapy and personalized cancer drugs have less than 2,000 patients with minimal long-term safety data. Many people take supplements like cannabis oil or mushroom extracts without any evidence that these are safe long term. With vaccine studies this large and ongoing, there is no reason to scrutinize them any more than a new cancer drug or supplement.

Read the full article here, and consider sharing with patients who are hesitant to get vaccinated.