Know the Facts

Common Myths About Vaccinations

There are many myths surrounding vaccines, particularly the COVID-19 vaccine. These myths can make it difficult for individuals to understand the truth about vaccines, and make an educated decision on getting vaccinated.

Learn about common myths, then flip the card to reveal the facts.

Myth

Getting the vaccine will give you COVID.

Fact

The vaccine will not give you COVID, because COVID-19 vaccines do not contain coronaviruses. In order to get COVID, you need to be in contact with the coronavirus.

Myth

You don't need a vaccine if you've had COVID.

Fact

The COVID vaccine is still important, because we don’t know how long immunity lasts after you have recovered, and there is still a possibility of getting COVID again.

Myth

The vaccine will change my DNA.

Fact

The vaccine contains a genetic material called mRNA, which is broken down by your cells over time. Your DNA is not affected in any way by mRNA.

Myth

I can’t get the vaccine if I want to have a baby.

Fact

There is no evidence that the vaccine does anything to the baby during pregnancy, or to the mother’s body to prevent pregnancy. Additionally, there is no evidence to suggest that the vaccine affects a male’s sperm or reproductive organs.

Myth

Getting a vaccine while pregnant will cause birth defects or a miscarriage.

Fact

There is no evidence that vaccines recommended during pregnancy cause birth defects or miscarriage. In fact, it has been found that vaccines help prevent severe illness in the mother and provide the baby with early immunity, reducing the risk of complications. Speak to your doctor first if you have any questions about getting vaccines while you’re pregnant.

Myth

Older adults can’t get vaccines because their bodies are too weak to handle them.

Fact

Vaccines are especially important for older adults because their immune systems naturally weaken with age, making them more vulnerable to serious illnesses like the flu, coronavirus, pneumonia, and shingles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have additional questions about vaccine safety? Our vaccine fact sheet can help!

Will a vaccine make me sick?

Any vaccine can cause side effects. For the most part these are minor (for example, a sore arm or low-grade fever) and go away within a few days. Learn more about possible side effects here.

Can it harm my child to get several vaccines at once?

There is no evidence to suggest that getting several vaccines at one time will damage or affect a healthy child’s immune system.

What if I have a serious reaction to a vaccine?

Most side effects are mild and usually go away within a few days. Serious side effects are very rare, and your healthcare provider is trained and prepared to deal with any rare side effects.

Do vaccines cause long-term side effects?

Vaccines are not linked to increases in health problems like autism, asthma or auto-immune diseases.

Are the ingredients in vaccines safe?

Each ingredient in a vaccine plays an important role in making the vaccine and ensuring it works safely and effectively. Most of the time, the amount of ingredients in a vaccine are even lower than the amount we are naturally exposed to in the environment

Have more questions about getting the COVID-19 vaccine? Learn more here.