FACT CHECK: Notice advising people not to take vaccine shots is false, misleading
It shares several categories of people who shouldn't take the vaccination. It lists out unmarried girls, people with.....
By Newsmeter Network Published on 26 May 2021 1:47 PM GMT
HYDERABAD: A notice in Hindi language carrying misleading claims on COVID-19 vaccine is viral on social media.
It shares several categories of people who shouldn't take the vaccination.
It lists out unmarried girls, people with respiratory diseases, people who consume alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, people with mental and neurological problems, and diabetic patients who should not take the jab
FACT CHECK:
Claim 1: Unmarried women should not get vaccinated as it may impact fertility.
Fact Check: False
According to the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech and World Health Organization, pregnant or breastfeeding women should be vaccinated as the effect of the vaccine has not been studied in pregnant women and nursing mothers. However, there is no mention that the vaccine affects fertility. A report by The New Indian Express published in February 2021 also states that according to the doctors, the COVID-19 vaccine does not harm fertility in women. The same was clarified by Hopkins Medicine.
https://www.seruminstitute.
https://www.bharatbiotech.com/
Claim 2: Children should be kept away from the vaccine as it may cause diseases in future
Fact Check: Misleading.
In India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced that only people above 18 years of age can be vaccinated. Children below this age group are not allowed to be vaccinated, however, clinical trials for Bharat Biotech's `Covaxin' is in the process for children between 2 to 18 years.
Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted its approval for conducting Phase II/III clinical trials of the Covaxin on children from 2 to 18 years of age. It will be carried out on 525 healthy children volunteers, who will be administered two doses of the whole virion, inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine at a gap of 28 days through intramuscular shots. (Source: Times of India, Hindustan Times)
Claim 3: Those with respiratory problems or illnesses should not be vaccinated. This can also lead to death
Fact Check: False
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare does not prevent patients with respiratory diseases from taking the vaccine. Neither the Serum Institute of India nor Bharat Biotech mention anything on this topic.
https://www.seruminstitute.com/pdf/covishield_fact_sheet.pdf
https://www.bharatbiotech.com/
Claim 4: People consuming alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco should not get the vaccine. This can cause cancer
Fact Check: False
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has said that according to experts, there is no evidence of alcohol impairing the effectiveness of the vaccine. However, experts in Russia and Britain say that alcohol should be avoided before and after taking the vaccine but it doesn't mention anything about individuals not getting the vaccine.
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-alcohol-may-affect-your-response-to-the-covid-19-vaccine
Claim 5: Patients with mental problems should not get vaccinated as this may increase their problem
Fact Check: False
With respect to the vaccines administered in India, there is no evidence that the COVID vaccine can harm long-term psychiatric patients.
A report by The New Indian Express from January 2021 quoting Dr. H Chandrashekar, a medical adviser said: "As such, there is no evidence that the COVID vaccine can harm long-term psychiatric patients. These patients are, in fact, more vulnerable to COVID-19 owing to their behavioral issues". However, individuals must declare to the vaccinators if they have long-term medications or illnesses. It has also been advised to consult a doctor before taking the vaccine if one is suffering from a serious illness.
Claim 6: Diabetes patients should not get vaccinated
Fact Check: False
Ministry of Health And Family Welfare for Phase 1 of COVID-19 vaccination included people below 50 years with associated comorbidities such as hypertension /diabetes /HIV /cancer /cardiovascular disease as they are at a higher risk of getting infected. Multiple reports state that people suffering from diabetes are at a higher risk and should get vaccinated as soon as possible.
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/
Thus, it is clear that all the claims made in the viral post are false and misleading. The datasheet released by Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech, WHO and the Ministry of Health and Family welfare has clearly listed out who is to not take the vaccine. Apart from these mentions, every other individual above the age of 18 can be vaccinated in India. Press Information Bureau also clarified that the viral claims are false and misleading.
