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Making an Informed Decision About Vaccination: Let's Talk About Myths

A Vaccinated Industry is a Safe, Sustainable and Successful Industry

Vaccine Myths Discussed and The Important Matter of Rugby!



This week we continue our exploration of the covid vaccination programme in South Africa as not only more businesses in South Africa look at making vaccination mandatory for employees and consumers, but SA Rugby has recently stated that games will open only to fully vaccinated fans – so it’s becoming so important to help make an informed decision for ourselves!


Fully vaccinated fans allowed to attend adult rugby matches in SA

Click HERE to read full article.


Fortunately, the vaccination programme world-wide is being shown to be successful in the attack on the covid-19 pandemic, where a recent French study of over 22 million people has found that vaccines cut risk of severe Covid by 90%, plus this largest study of its kind also finds that vaccines appear to protect against worst effects of Delta variant.


French study of over 22m people finds vaccines cut severe Covid risk by 90%

Click HERE to read full article.


However, we know so many still have concerns and questions regarding getting themselves and their families vaccinated. With all these valid worries about the vaccination programme, we’ve found an excellent discussion of the numerous concerns many people have about the covid-19 vaccine.


The misgivings and uncertainty so many feel are valid, but everything has to be taken with an informed level of decision. Let’s see what the facts say. A shorter version is available below, with the most important apprehensions answered, and the link goes to a much more extensive conversation.


Covid-19 vaccine myths debunked

Click HERE to read full article.


The risks from the vaccine are greater than the risks from Covid-19

VERDICT: MYTH


Professor Thomas Scriba: "This statement is false, dangerous and contradicted by an overwhelming body of evidence. Millions of people have died from Covid-19 disease, while many more have suffered from severe illness.

"We also know that the number of Covid-19 deaths we hear about every day in South Africa are substantially under-reported, likely by about 2-3 fold.

"On top of that, about 10% of people who have survived Covid-19 disease have long-term health consequences (long Covid), which includes extreme tiredness (fatigue), chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, problems with memory and concentration (so-called "brain fog"), and many more symptoms.”

According to Professor Marc Mendelson: "Your risk of illness and death from Covid-19 varies depending on your age and presence of pre-existing illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure etc.

"However, to date including unexpected deaths in South Africa, over 200 000 people have lost their lives. Worldwide that number is currently over 4.3 million.

"Over 4 billion doses of vaccines have been administered and no long-term effects have been reported. A US study of vaccine safety in 13.7 million vaccine recipients reported 6 994 persons (0.05%) with an adverse event, 91% of which were deemed non-serious.

"The rate of deaths occurring among vaccinated persons is not higher than in unvaccinated people, indicating that vaccines are not the cause of reported deaths."


The Covid-19 vaccine has dangerous side effects.

VERDICT: MYTH


Of the vaccines used in South Africa, the Pfizer vaccine can have side effects, but for the vast majority of people they are very short term —not serious or dangerous. The vaccine developers report that some people experience pain where they were injected; body aches; headaches or fever, lasting for a day or two. These are signs that the vaccine is working to stimulate your immune system. If symptoms persist beyond two days, you should call your doctor.


Covid-19 vaccination will 'wipe out' or compromise my natural immune system.

VERDICT: MYTH


Professor Thomas Scriba, deputy director of immunology and laboratory director at the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative, University of Cape Town, explains: A vaccine is a tool that educates the immune system about an infectious organism, but without the risk of becoming sick from the actual virus. It is like educating the brain about a certain topic in school – learning new things does not "wipe out" or compromise what you already know, but adds to what is already known. In the same way, vaccines cannot wipe out a person’s immune system or compromise it in any way, but add to the types of infectious organisms that the immune system will be able to fight off.


The composition of vaccines is 'largely confidential, like a trade secret'

VERDICT: MYTH


Professor Thomas Scriba: "The compositions of the vaccines are freely available to anyone who wishes to look for them.

"For example, a quick internet search returns the FDA factsheets for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the J&J vaccine, which contain the composition of each vaccine."

Professor Marc Mendelson: "The components that constitute the vaccines are well-known. Each vaccine has its own patents, but that is the same for any medication or vaccine that has every been produced."


If I have no comorbidities or if I am not in an at-risk group I don’t need to be vaccinated.

VERDICT: MYTH


According to Professor Mosa Moshabela, the vaccine is not only intended for people with risk factors and comorbidities.

The risk factor category is prioritised in order to safeguard people against severe disease and death from Covid-19. However, even physically fit adults can still suffer severe disease and die, but their risk is lower than in those with identified risk factors.


“No one will be forced to take the vaccine. People should, however, bear in mind that is not a medicine to treat Covid-19, but a form of prevention so that those who are exposed to Covid-19 do not succumb to it.

“Also, people infected with Covid-19 may still spread the virus to those around them, even if they only have a mild form of the disease.

"Finally, anyone who is infected with Covid-19 can still suffer from long-Covid, a chronic condition that occurs after recovery from acute Covid-19 infection – often referred to as a post-viral syndrome,” he explains.


People vaccinated with the Covid-19 vaccine will die in two years.

VERDICT: MYTH A message has been widely circulated on social media in which an alleged statement by French virologist and Nobel Prize Winner, Luc Montagnier, claimed mass Covid-19 vaccination is an “unacceptable mistake" and that “all vaccinated people will die in two years." However, this is "blatant misinformation", Professor Thomas Scriba, deputy director of immunology and laboratory director at the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative, University of Cape Town, told Health24 as there is no evidence to back up this claim.

Reuters was also unable to find any instance where the laureate made this comment.


For more myths discussed, please click HERE.


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We’ve asked some of our top professionals in the industry to share their thoughts with us and each week we’ll be sharing their stories for you to enjoy. If you have a positive experience you’d like to share with us on the vaccine and the differences it’s made in your personal life or your salon and with your clients’ appreciation of their salon experiences, please send to Beth at beth@hairnews.co.za , with a photo you’d like us to use!

Industry Vaccination: Safety, Sustainability and A Return to Normality




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