Ben Harris, medical microbiology scientist
Last Updated 4 Sept 2021
Your key questions, answered
• Is it safe?
• Does it work?
• What if the vaccine is more dangerous than getting COVID?
• What about possible long term risks we don’t know about?
• How can such new technology be guaranteed safe in such a short time frame?
• I’m fit, healthy and young – why should I get a vaccine?
• Why am I being pressured to get the vaccine? What about my freedom of choice?
Additional questions
• How come we are focusing so much on the vaccine and not other ways of fighting covid?
• Is covid even that bad?
• How do I know what information to trust?
• Why should I trust the government? or my health care provider?
• Should I still have the vaccine if … I’ve had covid / I’ve got the flu / I’m on medications / I’m immunocompromised
• I heard there are other things that are good for treating covid – why can’t I take these things instead of the vaccine? (B12, ivermectin, etc.)
• There have been medical disasters in the past with long term side effects, why not now too?
• Why should I trust big pharma?
• Does covid exist? (and more questions from readers)
Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe?
Yes, far safer than catching COVID
Continuous ongoing monitoring and evaluation worldwide ensures this.
Before the Pfizer vaccine was authorised, it was extensively tested in a phase 3 trial on over 43 thousand people (with different ages, ethnicities and underlying illnesses) and found to be very safe and effective.
Since then, 2.1 billion of the world (27%) has had a dose (as of 27 Aug), with ongoing close monitoring in many countries, with minimal negative effects, and extremely low associated mortality outside the usual mortality expected in daily life (from people not vaccinated), but much, much lower mortality than from catching COVID infection itself.
If you have heard otherwise, where were the sources from? If you had to choose, which source seems more reliable to you, and why?
What about pregnant women? Skip to our answer below
Do the COVID-19 vaccines work?
The Pfizer COVID vaccine greatly reduces serious COVID illness, hospitalisations and markedly reduces death rates against Delta variant..
It also reduces the chances of catching COVID with or without symptoms by 30-50%, so it reduces transmission to others by 30-50%
There are still many cases of covid amongst vaccinated people, but far fewer deaths, hospitalisations and illness (‘long covid’) than what their unvaccinated friends suffer.
Do you believe that the vaccine works? Why or why not? What would change your mind?
What if the vaccine is more dangerous than getting COVID?
The Pfizer vaccine is markedly safer than catching COVID on all international, country by country individual data
What is more important for you – avoiding a known risk or avoiding a possible risk? What do you think are the known risks here?
It is likely that everyone in the world will catch COVID within the next 2-3 years (unless a totally isolated hermit). This is because the average person with the Delta variant (most common worldwide including NZ), transmits infection to 5-6 others (R0 value) – even with social distancing, masks, lockdown and vaccinations (which primarily stop serious infections and mortality rather than, unfortunately, transmission of virus).
Consider how risk is a normal part of your life, from pregnancy, childbirth, diet, car driving, air travel, accommodation – all contain relative risk, as vaccinations are and always have been. Vaccine associated serious risks are minimal compared to the current 4.51 million worldwide deaths from 217 million COVID cases (Sept 2021)
Myocarditis is known to be much more common (18x) after COVID infection than post vaccination. Similarly an Israeli study has shown COVID infection raises the risk of other serious health issues not associated with vaccines, e.g. Cardiac arrhythmias, kidney damage, pericarditis, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction and stroke
What about possible long term risks we don’t know about?
Over 99% of immunology scientists in research worldwide explain that mRNA (in Pfizer vaccine) breaks down rapidly over 1-3 days in the body, and cannot enter our cell nucleus at all, so cannot effect our DNA at all. They say there is no credible reason how or why it could cause long term unknown effects because the mRNA process mimics current normal body protein synthesis processes.
We have to balance possible long term risks against short term COVID infection risks we do know for sure – serious infection illness, hospitalisation, death, long covid.
There has never been a vaccine that has caused harm after 2-3 months (any negative effects are short-term). This is in addition to no long-term effects being shown by those who have taken covid vaccines (since December 2020).
Are you more worried about short term or long term consequences? Are you more worried about catching COVID, or about getting the vaccine? Why, do you think?
How can such new technology be guaranteed safe in such a short time frame? (and isn’t it still on provisional license?)
The ‘new’ mRNA technology was first thought of, studied and published in 1989, then progressed since – see Wikipedia for published references. The companies, BioNTech in 2008 and Moderna in 2010, were started to develop mRNA biotechnologies.
mRNA vaccines for human use have already been studied for rabies, Zika virus disease, cytomegalovirus, and influenza.
Shorter trial times were possible because of how common COVID was in the community – so 3rd phase trials with 40,000 people were relatively easily attainable, unlike many other newly studied infectious diseases. Note, China was unable to do its own trials on its own vaccine because after Wuhan they locked down the country so well there were not enough cases to do a valid trial on.
Yes, the vaccine will and should remain on ‘provisional licence’ so ongoing data can be collected for several years to study population any efficacy changes, adverse reactions, etc. But in context, 2.1 billion people have been vaccinated and monitored to date.
I’m fit, healthy and young – why should I get a vaccine?
Do you feel that COVID is a risk to you? Why, or why not?
Diet, fit, healthy, attitude, sense of community etc are all known to benefit health and longevity. However some infectious diseases like COVID are known to overcome all our natural immune strategies..
If the average person becomes ill from inhaling only 50 COVID virus of one billion viruses in an infected person, it is possible some fit healthy people may need to inhale say 100 virus before succumbing.
Alarmingly, even healthy people and children are susceptible to long covid
To add a historical context, the 1918 influenza pandemic infected and killed 50-100 million worldwide. Mortality was high in people younger than 5 years old, 20-40 years old (many including fit and healthy army recruits), and 65 years and older. In other words, youth and fitness are not always protection against illness.
Why am I being pressured to get the vaccine? What about my freedom of choice?
Under the NZ Bill of Rights Act we each have the right to take or decline the vaccination. But we also have to be aware that we are responsible for the consequences of our decisions in life.
What do you think are the reasons for the pressure? By not vaccinating, are you comfortable that you are showing reasonable care to not affect the health and safety of others?
As individuals in society we need to evaluate for our own beliefs and wellbeing whether the benefits and risks of vaccination to ourselves outweigh the risks to others in our community, including the most vulnerable, if we choose not to vaccinate.
Because not everyone has the time to make an expert judgment on the vast information available, government messaging is to make the most reasonable action clear to the most people (based on evidence from thousands of independent universities). This website was created to make it easier to think for yourself, by giving you clear, relevant information. We encourage you to reflect and form your own opinions.
There is a balance for us as individuals, and for society in general to evaluate. Frontline border workers, rest home staff, hospital staff etc pose too great an acceptable Health and Safety adverse risk to others and the community if they have not taken ‘all reasonable steps’ (H&S at Work Act 2015) they can to mitigate their risk of transmission to others – managers can also be individually fined up to millions of dollars and gaoled for years under this Act if non compliance. Vaccine first, then isolation, PPE and other infection prevention control measures are the most effective and required in such circumstances.
So on a risk situational basis, after appropriate education etc, an employer may be obliged legally (and ethically) to either try finding alternate work for the unvaccinated if practicable within their organisation, or terminating their employment if not.
How come we are focusing so much on the vaccine and not other ways of fighting covid?
COVID Vaccine has by far the greatest impact on markedly reducing serious illness and mortality.
Masks, PPE, social distancing, lockdowns, advice to have healthy lifestyle are all an additional help in preventing catching COVID infcetion, but not in reducing serious illness, hospitalisation and death when we do catch COVID.
Is covid even that bad?
4.51 million deaths from 217 million cases reported worldwide is a lot (actual cases will have been higher but not reported)
The vast majority of these 4.51 million deaths so far would not have occurred if they had been vaccinated.
Additionally the socioeconomic, political, other health conditions, etc. impact has been huge.
Is the vaccine safe for pregnant or considering women?
If you are pregnant or considering, what scares you about the vaccine? What would you need to see to make you more comfortable? What do you think would protect your baby most?
Extra evaluation caution always required so not included in initial trials. Now 2.1 billion people worldwide vaccinated, a significant number vaccinated were unknowingly pregnant.
Pregnant women and their babies are at significant additional risks from COVID infection than the non infected. Antibody immunity (from vaccination or COVID infection) pass to babe via umbilical cord and breast feeding – no adverse effects of this documented, but gives babe protection.
In a study published in July 2021, 7,530 pregnant women who were vaccinated and 7,530 unvaccinated pregnant women. Rates of COVID were higher among unvaccinated pregnant women (202) than vaccinated pregnant women (118).
Of the pregnant women who were vaccinated, 68 reported possible vaccine-related side effects, such as headache, body aches, pain at the injection site, but none were severe or prolonged or different to non-pregnant people. There was no difference in any other pregnancy outcomes.
How do I know what information to trust?
Where is your information from? How do you think it compares to other sources?
Science depends upon being continually challenged, to ensure that the evidence is sound. Within this mix, there will always be a small number of completely outside views to what has been established. There is an upside to this (challenging science) and a downside (when we do not see those challenges in the context of the bulk of evidence established). In practice, outside views are seldom correct.
We have seen this with climate change, cures for HIV, etc.
Social media can and does increase the spread of lots of fears and well intentioned but misinformed bad information. Many people only get their information from others they know, and or fearful (mis)information links they have been sent, and in turn forward to others. Facebook financially benefits (US$1-2b a year) from spreading misinformation since ‘fear sells’. This is part of their business.
As humans we are primarily emotional beings relying on trust, friendships etc and are not very good at evaluating independent scientific literature publications from thousands of independent scientists, researchers and universities worldwide. Governments and ministries of health base their actions off this publicly available information. These can be cross checked for reliability by anyone.
Some tips:
• when researching on google, include the words ‘evidence’ or ‘controlled trial evidence’, then pay particular attention to web sites that end in ‘.edu’ for university sites, etc.
• in a research paper, skip to the ‘overview/summary/conclusions’. This is the most plain-english substance of the paper.
• bear in mind, the larger the trial (numbers of participants), the better
• highly trusted journals include The Lancet, NEJM, BMJ, AJMA – these letter sources can be added to the front of a Google search too to help credibility
Peer reviewed published papers are better still, but with COVID pandemic in the interests of speed to forewarn and help the world at large, papers can be published without the slower peer review process. Open access for COVID well known journals include The Lancet, NEJM, BMJ, AJMA – these letter sources can be added to the front of a Google search too to help credibility. Be wary of any Facebook only source, and try and not forward facebook postings to others which often in practice amplifies the spread of false information. Remember anyone can call themselves ‘Dr’ and put a posting on Facebook.
Why should i trust the government? or my health care provider?
They often have a reliable distillate of published papers from multiple reliable sources – but you can check out their stated references or cross check reliable published literature until you are more (or less) convinced by what they say. CDC USA (Center for Disease Control USA) is a reliable source.
Should i still have the vaccine if … I’ve had covid / I’ve got the flu / I’m on medications / I’m immunocompromised
In general COVID Pfizer vaccine can be given to most people so long as they are not ill at the time. Past COVID or suspected COVID infection has no adverse effect on the vaccine and may well boost your immunity more. If immunocompromised, a discussion with your medical provider can be advised including the timing of the vaccine in relation to medication. Very few medications are a contraindication for vaccination.
I heard there are other things that are good for treating covid – why can’t I take these things instead of the vaccine? (B12, ivermectin, etc.)
Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) are the only reliable evaluation of these alternate approaches (similar to ‘phase 3 initial vaccine trials). No known reliable preventions are known other than vaccination. Some treatments are known once serious infection occurs in the hospitalised, e.g. Prednisone anti-inflammatory, but best left for the hospital situation. Medication. Ivermectin is still unproven and subject to trial.
There have been medical disasters in the past with long term side effects, why not now too?
There has never been a vaccine with significant adverse effects that have become apparent after 3 months. One cannot prove a negative, but it has never happened before.
Why should i trust big pharma?
There is no need to. Instead, trust the independent research from universities, researchers and Govt vetting and authorising processes.
Does covid exist?
This ‘does not exist’ fallacy has been utterly debunked. go by published ‘all cause-mortality rates’ and subsequent marked rate drops when vaccination has started.
E.g. https://ourworldindata.org/excess-mortality-covid
Noting USA vaccine started 2021
I’m afraid vaccine passports will be used to promote inequality and discrimination
Yes, this may likely happen. If other countries make it a requirement before visiting, we have no option but to comply to their rules.
Does the PCR test work?
short answer: yes.
Long answer: the PCR test is relatively reliable (?? 80%) at detecting if the virus that causes COVID is present or not. It can detect the virus up to 1-3 days before symptoms of infection begin though – symptoms of infection may never develop (asymptomatic cases) and it may detect some of the millions of residual dead virus left in the body after symptoms of infection have gone (up to 3 weeks or so).
Can women get private space vaccinations? (where culturally requested)
Yes, ask the vaccination centre, consider phoning prior to visit
What about the side effects we’ve learnt about? (e.g. blood clots)
What about the side effects we know about from the virus? including 15-30% of those infected get Long Covid – always the number of side effects, including blood clots, are much lower than if you caught the COVID infection – and given time we will all be exposed to COVID virus worldwide.
How far apart should I get my 2 doses?
The higher the antibody levels obtained from COVID vaccination, the better the protection against especially major lung infection (and so hospitalisation) The highest antibody levels are obtained by having the second dose vaccine 8-12 weeks post first vaccine – about a four fold higher antibody level, and associated higher ‘T memory cell lymphocytes’ which even in smaller numbers in the lung can offer longer/long term immunity The interim practical challenge is that delaying all staff and resident 2nd doses for 8-12 weeks makes them more vulnerable over the interim longer time gap interval
How does a controlled trial actually work?
A large number of people (e.g. 40,000) volunteer to sign up to a trial – as part of informed consent they are informed of how it works. They will either be (in the case of COVID vaccine) injected with solution ‘A’ or solution ‘B’. They and the people injecting them do not know what is in solution ‘A’ or ‘B’. The numbers of people catching COVID (for instance) are compared between group A and B. Similarly all adverse reactions are noted and recorded.
Only after a given period of time is the ‘sealed envelope’ opened and the researchers are told whether A or B was vaccine or sterile saline.
Then all the results are totally impartially evaluated – differences in COVID infections in each group (vaccine or saline), serious infections, deaths, adverse reactions, etc. all evaluated and presented to regulatory authorities for further scrutiny on benefits, risks, safety, etc
What is the history of vaccines?
The 1500’s Chinese and/or Indians had a ‘variolation’ vaccine for smallpox.
1798 Edward Jenner successfully ‘discovered’ smallpox variolation vaccinationby using mild cow pox teat wart like viruses as the vaccine
How will it affect travel? Will i need to take vaccine to travel? (Within / international
Policies on this dictated by individual countries before entry by others.
Some countries mandate it to different levels internally. Currently in NZ only mandated for high risk adverse COVID transmission risk situation to others e.g. border workers, front line essential workers, residential care rest home staff
How come vaccinated countries are still getting the same number of cases?
In general, as the isolation rules relax there are more cases BUT while the data clearly shows often more COVID cases in total but in spite of this far fewer hospitalizations and deaths in all those vaccinated.
Aren’t viruses natural? Could they be good for us like bacteria are for our microbiome?
Yes, there are many viruses as part of our normal, healthy, endogenous microbial microbiome protective flora.
But microbes like COVID, influenza, norovirus, measles are not part of our normal microbiome, and so are called ‘exogenous’ to us in health.
What’s the point of getting the vaccine if you can still spread COVID?
Reduces spread transmission to others by 30-50%, BUT very effective at markedly reducing serious COVID infections, hospitalisations (and so overwhelming healthcare system), and deaths. You cannot catch ‘long covid’ either unless you catch the infection, so reduced by 30-50%.
Do asymptomatics spread covid?
Yes
Infection Prevention & Control 