By Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P]
Every day thousands of new cases of COVID-19 are reported in the country, because, despite calls for vaccination and for people to take the necessary measures to avoid contagion and spread of the virus, many continue to deny its existence and the importance of the vaccine.
In light of these circumstances, P360P has taken on the task of investigating some of the main rumors about this disease and the COVID-19 vaccine, in order to clarify these doubts through the experts.
During the program "The Voice of our Roots", broadcasted by the organization Casa Círculo Cultural through FacebookIn an interview with the radio program "Hecho en California," hosted by Marcos Gutierrez on 1010 AM, Dieter Bruno, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Sequoia Hospital, responded promptly to questions from the audience.
Among the versions given by the listeners and that were asked to Dr. Dieter, the following stand out:
Is it true that the COVID-19 vaccine damages the body's vital organs and weakens the immune system?
A: "FALSE. The vaccine is effective. What the vaccine actually does is help our immune system fight the COVID virus. The vaccine does NOT weaken or destroy the immune system.
"Vaccines are useful because they actually use the immune system to fight COVID."
"It's important to know that, in general, vaccines are very safe and effective."
Is it true that once people are vaccinated against SARS-Cov-2 virus they will die within two years?
A: "FALSE. Vaccines have helped us save lives and they are effective. There's no question that when we look at the COVID activity curves in the different states and communities between last year and this year, vaccines have saved lives.
"Like any medication or vaccine, there are going to be side effects and there will be some people who will have some reaction that will be mild. But vaccines are very safe.
Is it true that people who have received the vaccine are getting more COVID-19 and have more severe symptoms?
A: FALSE: "Many of us know of friends, family members, or acquaintances who have died from VIDOC. That is a very real risk in people who are not vaccinated. There is no question that COVID can kill people."
"One of the benefits we see with vaccination, especially in San Mateo County, is that about 80 percent of eligible people are vaccinated and we've seen no deaths in that group."
Is it true that people with a good immune system and a healthy lifestyle do not get COVID-19?
A: "FALSE, we are happy for people to have a strong immune system, but what the vaccine does is train the immune system to fight against COVID. A person with a strong immune system is just the kind of candidate we want to vaccinate precisely to train their body to fight the virus.
Is it true that there are no deaths due to COVID-19 but to many other diseases, but that the government along with big corporations give money to hospitals to report that so many deaths are due to the virus?
R: "Absolutely FALSE. even if you believe there is a conspiracy in the country to make it happen. Then what about all those who are dying all over the world because of COVID?"
Is it true that the vaccine is experimental and will cause serious long-term effects?
A: "FALSE, I wouldn't call it an experimental vaccine, I would call it an emergency licensed vaccine, and there's a difference there. And relatively soon the vaccine will come out of that status to be just another vaccine."
Is it true that the government and elite groups want the vaccine to kill poor people?
A: "FALSE. The vaccine is not designed to reduce population or kill poor people. The best proof of this is that everyone can have access to the vaccine. Even at the beginning of the pandemic, people with high purchasing power wanted access to the vaccine and could not. The health system sought to ensure that everyone could be vaccinated equally, regardless of their socioeconomic level.
Is it true that the vaccine causes hair loss, weight gain and sterility?
R: "FALSE. The vaccine does not cause any such effect. I repeat, the vaccines are safe and effective and help the immune system fight COVID-19 better."
Is it true that a chip or magnetic material is inserted into people through the vaccine?
A: "FALSE, none of that is true.
The media is reporting a "Delta Plus" variant, should we be even more worried?
A: "YES. The more time we spend with incomplete vaccination schedules, the more variants we will see and the greater the challenge.
If I've had COVID, do I still need to be vaccinated? And how long should I wait after getting the virus?
A: "Yes, it's still a good idea to get vaccinated against the virus even after infection with COVID and the timing of how long people should take has changed. We used to say wait three months and then it changed to once people recover from the disease, no one knows exactly how long it should take. But what is certain is that if a person has contracted the virus and gets vaccinated, they will be better protected against getting it again."
How soon will the vaccine be available for children under 12?
A: "Hopefully in the short term. As time goes on and it gets closer to back to school it's important that everyone is protected. So we're hoping that will happen very soon."
What harm is caused by unvaccinated people to those who have been inoculated?
A: "There are two things that concern us about people who are not vaccinated: the first is that it's easier for them to get the virus, and then once they get it, it's easier for them to potentially transmit the disease even in those who are already vaccinated."
"We tend to believe that people who are already vaccinated are completely immune to the disease, but we now know that the truth is that there is no complete immunity. But, without a doubt, vaccinated people who do get infected recover faster and better. That's why vaccination is still very important.
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