Covid Vaccine Myths Busted! Health Minister Answers FAQs Ahead Of Vaccination Drive

On the very first day of vaccination, as many as three lakh healthcare and frontline workers will be administered with Covid-19 shots at 3,006 vaccine sites spread across the country.

(File Photo/ AFP)

New Delhi: India’s Covid-19 mass immunization programme, one of the largest vaccination drives in the world, is just over the head and is all set to start from January 16. Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, on Thursday, took to Twitter to break some myths regarding the Covid-19 vaccine administration. The Health Minster through the micro-blogging site answered questions related to side-effects of the vaccine and whether one can be infected with Covid-19 as well as the effect of vaccination on the fertility of beneficiaries.  As per details, on the very first day of vaccination, as many as three lakh healthcare and frontline workers will be administered with Covid-19 shots at 3,006 vaccine sites spread across the country. As part of the first phase of the mass inoculation drive, the country aims to vaccinate around 30 crores, essential workers. For which, the Union Government has procured a total of 1.65 crore vaccine shots. 1.1 crore shots of Covishield vaccine from SII and 55 lakh shots of Covaxin from Bharat Biotech.

Here Are The FAQs Answered By Union Health Minister

Q- Are There Any Known Side Effects Of Covid-19 Vaccine? A - As is true for many other vaccines, some individuals may have side-effects such as mild fever and pain at the site of injection and body ache. However, these side-effects are temporary and should go away on their own after some time. After being administered by Covid-19 Vaccine, some individuals may have side effects like mild fever, pain at injection site & body ache. This is similar to the side effects that occur post some other vaccines. These are expected to go away on their own after some time.

After being administered #COVID19Vaccine, some individuals may have side effects like mild fever, pain at injection site & bodyache. This is similar to the side effects that occur post some other vaccines. These are expected to go away on their own after some time. #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/VCnJzXu70S

— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) January 14, 2021

Q- Can One Catch Covid-19 From The Vaccine? A- As in one of the cases, a minister from Haryana, Anil Vij came in contact with the disease, while he was volunteering for the trial of the vaccine. So this is one of the most asked questions, to which the health minister said that one cannot catch Covid-19 from the vaccine but it is possible that one may have caught the disease, but realizes the symptoms after vaccine appointment. “You cannot contract Covid-19 because you have been inoculated with a Covid-19 Vaccine. Temporary side effects such as mild fever should not be confused as having contracted,” his tweet quoted.

You cannot contract #COVID19 because you have been inoculated with a #COVID19Vaccine

Temporary side effects such as mild fever should not be confused as having contracted #COVID.#StayInformedStaySafe @PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA pic.twitter.com/ZkZgLU8tpy — Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) January 14, 2021

Q- Can Covid-19 Vaccine Cause Infertility In Men And Women? A- “There is no scientific evidence to suggest that Covid-19 Vaccine could cause infertility in either men or women. Kindly do not pay heed to such rumors or information from unverified sources,” Dr Harshvardhan’s tweet quoted.

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that #COVIDVaccine could cause infertility in either men or women. Kindly do not pay heed to such rumours or information from unverified sources.#StayInformedStaySafe @PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA pic.twitter.com/6ii2EFgpB0

— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) January 14, 2021

The Union Health Minister also said to only trust information from official channels of communication and not to fall for any rumors or information from any unverified sources. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch India's COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16 via video conferencing and adequate doses of the two made-in-India vaccines have been delivered across the country to all states and Union Territories. This will be the world's largest vaccination programme covering the entire length and breadth of the country and all preparations are in place to initiate the programme on the principles of 'Jan Bhagidari', the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.