We asked our Playgroup NSW community what they wanted to know about the COVID-19 vaccine. We were delighted to receive more than 500 responses. Although we are not able to answer all of them, we have compiled the most common myths and questions below.
*This article contains the most up-to-date information provided by the Australian Government Department of Health.
1. Does the COVID-19 vaccine have a microchip that can track me?
None of the COVID-19 vaccines in development contain software or microchips. They cannot be used to track people.
Read more about the COVID-19 vaccines approved in Australia.
2. Can the COVID-19 vaccines connect me to the internet?
COVID-19 vaccines do not – and cannot – connect you to the internet.
Some of the mRNA vaccines being developed include the use of a material called a hydrogel, which might help disperse the vaccine slowly into our cells.
Bioengineers have used similar hydrogels for many years in different ways. For instance, they've used them to help stem cells survive after being put inside our bodies.
Because of this, some people believe that hydrogels are needed for electronic implants, which can connect to the internet.
3. Was the COVID-19 developed too quickly to be safe?
COVID-19 vaccines have been developed without compromising quality, safety and effectiveness.
It may appear they have been developed very quickly, but researchers around the world have been working hard to develop COVID-19 vaccines from the earliest stages of the pandemic.
They have been able to speed up development of vaccines thanks to the collaboration between them, scientists, manufacturers and distributors.The development and implementation planning phases have been run side-by side, instead of one after the other.
This has been made possible because of unprecedented global funding.
4. Can the COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA?
No, COVID-19 vaccines do not alter your DNA. The Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine uses a fragment of messenger RNA (mRNA) to instruct your body to make an immune response against COVID-19.
There is a crucial difference between mRNA and DNA.
Read more here.
5. My kids don’t need to get vaccinated because they don’t get severely ill from COVID-19.
False: Some children do get severely sick from COVID-19, or experience long-term complications. Vaccination is the best way to help prevent your child getting sick. This is particularly important for children at greater risk.
6. Can the COVID-19 vaccine causes autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis, are chronic (long-term) illnesses where our immune systems attack our own cells.
There is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines can cause autoimmune diseases.
7. I don’t need to get vaccinated if I already had COVID-19
People who have had COVID-19 and recovered should still be vaccinated. The protection someone gains from having COVID-19 varies from person to person.
Because this virus is new, experts don’t yet know how long any natural immunity might last.
This is why vaccination is so important to protect people from severe disease. Even if you have already had COVID-19, you should still get the COVID-19 vaccine when you can.
8. The natural immunity I get from being sick with COVID-19 is better than the immunity I get from COVID-19 vaccination.
Getting a COVID-19 vaccination is a safer and more dependable way to build immunity to COVID-19 than getting sick with COVID-19.
9. Can the COVID-19 vaccines cause new variants?
COVID-19 vaccines do not create or cause variants of the virus that causes COVID-19. Instead, COVID-19 vaccines can help prevent new variants from emerging.
10. I should wait for the vaccine that is more effective.
All COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective options. There is no preference. The goal is to get everyone vaccinated, so it’s important to take the vaccine that is offered to you.
For more information about available vaccines, click here.
11. I’m not at risk for severe complications of COVID-19 so I don’t need the vaccine.
Regardless of your risk, you can still contract the infection and spread it to others, so it’s important you get vaccinated. It’s recommended that as many eligible adults as possible get the vaccine.
It’s not only to protect you but your family and community as well.
12.The vaccination booster won't give me extra protection
Studies show that the immunity created by COVID-19 vaccines begins to wane over time.
A booster dose strengthens your immune system and helps to maintain a high level of protection against serious illness from the COVID-19 virus.
13. The COVID-19 vaccine does not work on kids
Evidence shows vaccination offers excellent protection against COVID-19 in children.
Even though COVID-19 in children is often milder than in adults, there's strong evidence to support vaccinating children.
To read more about the COVID-19 vaccination for kids, click here.
Still have questions? Check out these useful bilingual resources about the COVID-19 vaccine:
Doctors answer commonly asked questions about COVID-19
English
Arabic
Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt
Chinese, Simplified - 简体中文
Chinese, Traditional - 繁體中文
For more languages, click here.
COVID-19 Vaccination Common Questions - Fact Sheet
English
Arabic
Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt
Chinese, Simplified - 简体中文
Chinese, Traditional - 繁體中文
For more languages, click here.
Official resources from: