BIPOC COVID-19 Vaccine Concerns: Myths and Facts
Some Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) groups have some concerns about the coronavirus or COVID-19 vaccine both because of past mistreatment in clinical trials like the Tuskegee experiment and because the COVID-19 vaccine is so new. Yet it’s important for a large portion of the population to be vaccinated in order to establish safe herd immunity. This herd immunity will enable the people of the U.S. to return to life as close as possible to how things were before the coronavirus arrived.
There are currently two vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna that are approved for use in the U.S. Though the vaccine development was a short period compared to other vaccines, research occurred at an efficient pace due to international researchers cooperatively sharing information about the novel coronavirus. With more supply of the COVID-19 vaccine becoming available, it’s important to address some myths and facts about the vaccines. Let’s take a look at some common misconceptions about the vaccines and the facts that are known about them.
Myth: No Black Researchers Were Involved in COVID-19 Vaccine Development
Fact: A Black research fellow and scientific lead named Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett was very involved with development of the vaccine by Moderna. She worked on the frontlines at the National Institutes of Health. According to Dr. Corbett, "I want to make it clear that the work that we have been doing for so long I personally stand by it, essentially with all of my being."
"I also understand that there are issues of lack of trustworthiness. I say it in that way because I understand the onus of gaining the public's trust lies in the hands of people like me," stated Dr. Corbett. "From the vaccine development standpoint and in the institutions where I am employed to earn trust that has been stripped from people over the course of centuries."
Myth: COVID-19 Vaccines Will Give You the Virus
Fact: The vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer use mRNA (or messenger RNA) to protect the body against the virus. mRNA functions by sending a message to the body to build the distinctive spike protein that’s on COVID-19. Those who receive the COVID-19 vaccine may experience some mild side effects after the first or second vaccine, which could include headache, joint pain, fatigue, fever, chills, muscle pain; and swelling, redness, or pain at the injection site.
Myth: Researchers Want to Use BIPOC Patients As Guinea Pigs
Fact: Researchers tested the vaccines on diverse patient populations from different racial backgrounds and age groups in the clinical trial phases to ensure vaccine safety for all. Adults of all races are now receiving the vaccine and are experiencing minor side effects that were reported by those who participated in the clinical trials before the vaccines were approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). In the U.S., the first person to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was a Black female, critical care nurse Sandra Lindsay, who was given the vaccine by a Black female medical professional. “I feel hopeful today. Relieved,” stated Ms. Lindsay after she received the vaccine.
Myth: The Vaccines Aren’t Safe and Haven’t Had Enough Testing
Fact: The vaccines underwent many months of study and testing with thousands of patients who received the vaccines, including adult BIPOC patients from a wide range of racial backgrounds and ages. Those who have experienced an anaphylactic allergic reaction in the past are advised to skip the vaccine to prevent a severe reaction, however.
Getting Back to Normal Through Herd Immunity
Achieving herd immunity against coronavirus is vital in the process of returning life back to something that resembles our pre-coronavirus lives in the U.S. Getting a majority of the population vaccinated with the FDA-approved vaccines is the largest part of solving the puzzle. There are Black researchers like Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett who understands past clinical trial mistreatment but who was also key in COVID-19 vaccine development.
Research and health experts say the COVID-19 vaccines will help our country and world get back on track. We’re all in this pandemic crisis together. How can we do our part to improve life not only for ourselves, family and friends, but for the broader community as well? How do we move forward from here? The first critical step is to note the facts and dispel the myths. We will continue to watch the progress of the vaccines and move forward together.
Sources
The real facts about common COVID-19 vaccine myths. UC Davis Health website. Accessed January 21, 2021. https://health.ucdavis.edu/health-news/newsroom/the-real-facts-about-common-covid-19-vaccine-myths/2020/12
Ninette Sosa. Here’s a closer look at COVID-19 vaccine facts. Nexstar Media Wire. Accessed January 21, 2021. https://www.wfla.com/community/health/coronavirus/heres-a-closer-look-at-covid-19-vaccine-facts/
Tim Pullman. Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett praised as key scientist behind COVID-19 vaccine. KABC-TV website. Accessed January 21, 2021. https://abc7.com/black-scientist-dr-kizzmekia-corbett-praised-covid-vaccine-kizzy-facui/8794247/
COVID-19 vaccines: Get the facts. Mayo Clinic website. Accessed January 21, 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-vaccine/art-20484859
Martha Irvine and Morry Gash. First Americans Receive COVID-19 Vaccine as Historic Event Begins. Accessed January 21, 2021.. NBC 5 Chicago website. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/trucks-with-first-covid-19-vaccine-in-us-get-ready-to-roll/2393339/
BIPOC COVID-19 Myths vs Facts Infographic
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