Warning to be wary over vaccine misinformation on social media
Buckinghamshire Council are asking us to think before sharing
Sharing misinformation about the coronavirus vaccine could mean someone goes unprotected.
That's the warning from Buckinghamshire Council, as they're worried about certain posts on social media spreading false info about the jab.
While many posts on social media and other channels tell positive stories about peoples' experiences, there is a large amount of misinformation about the vaccine spreading online.
The Council say that it's essential to get any information about the COVID-19 vaccine from a reliable source, such as the NHS or Government's websites.
It's also really important that people are aware of the following facts about the COVID-19 vaccine:
- It has been through the same strict safety checks that all vaccines go through
- The vaccine is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. It does not contain any animal products or egg and imams have stated the vaccines are halal
- Any side effects are mild other than in extremely rare cases - as is the case with all vaccines and medicines
- You cannot get COVID-19 from having the vaccine - it contains no live virus and cannot cause infection
- The COVID-19 vaccine offers the best possible protection from COVID-19, which carries significant health risks if you catch it
Think before you share
Thinking before sharing something on social media that could be potentially harmful or misleading is key and the advice is to take 5 seconds to consider:
- If it's a rumour, don't send it on
- Check the facts and get information from trusted sources
- Ask yourself, how does the person who's sent this know it's true?
Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council said:
"Of course having the vaccine is a matter of personal choice, but it's critical we all do our bit to avoid a situation where someone refuses a vaccine as they've ended up seeing misinformation about it online.
"We have a collective responsibility to make sure any information we share online about the vaccine is true and accurate.
"The vaccine is safe, it's been through the same rigorous programme of checks that all vaccines go through, and it categorically does not contain any animal or egg products.
"It's essential that people can make a fully informed decision about whether to have this vaccine. It's also crucial that as many people choose to have the vaccine as possible as it's currently our main route out of this pandemic."
More about the Covid-19 vaccine
What is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine?
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved for use in the UK on 2 December 2020. Britain was the first country in the world to approve the jab, which offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19. Pfizer is an American pharmaceutical firm while BioNTech is a German biotechnology company. The vaccine is very delicate and has to be stored at -70 degrees, limiting the number of sites that can administer the jab.
What is the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine?
A vaccine developed by Oxford University and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca became the second vaccine approved for UK use on 30 December 2020. This vaccine was considered "the way out" of the pandemic in the UK, thanks to the fact it is easier to store than the Pfizer jab, making it well equipped for mass roll out. GPs and vaccination centres across the country began administering the jab in early January 2021. Under 30's in the U.K. were given the option to choose a different vaccine to this due to small risks of very rare blood clots. Instead, under-30s would typically choose the Pfizer jab or later, the moderna jab.
What is the Moderna vaccine?
The third vaccine approved for UK use on 8 January 2021 was developed by American firm Moderna. 24-year-old Elle Taylor from Wales became the first person in the UK to receive the Moderna jab in April. The Moderna vaccine is similar to the Pfizer jab in how it works but is even easier to roll out as it can be stored at -20 degrees rather than -70.
What is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
The fourth vaccine to be be approved in the UK was Johnson & Johnson's vaccine, released under the name Janssen. Notably, It is also the first single shot vaccine in use during this vaccine rollout.
Who was the first person to receive the Pfizer vaccine?
90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first patient in the world to be vaccinated against Covid-19 outside a clinical trial. She received her jab on 8 December 2020 at Coventry's University Hospital. Mrs Keenan, who lives in Coventry, became somewhat of a fashion influencer after the charity t-shirt she wore to her vaccination appointment sold out. Profits went towards buying Christmas presents for hospital patients. The grandmother advised everyone who was offered the vaccine to take it, saying "If I can have it at 90, then you can have it too."
Who was the first person to receive the Oxford vaccine?
Meanwhile, Brian Pinker from Oxford was first to receive the AstraZeneca jab outside of a clinical trial at the age of 82. Mr Pinker, who was vaccinated on 4 January 2021, praised the medical teams administering the vaccine, saying it would allow him to "really look forward" to celebrating his 48th wedding anniversary with wife Shirley later on in the year.
When will I receive the vaccine?
Vaccines were offered according to vulnerability levels. First to be offered the jab were people in care homes and their carers, followed by those over 80 and health and social care workers. People aged 65 and above were next on the priority list and then high-risk adults under the age of 65 followed by moderate risk adults under 65. The vaccine was then rolled out by age group.
How will I know when it's my turn to get vaccinated?
When it is your turn to receive the vaccination, you will be informed by the NHS. You should only attend vaccination sites if you have been told to do so. Vaccines are provided for free by the NHS and they will never ask for bank details. Find out more about vaccine scams here.
What is a vaccine passport?
The Government debate the idea of a vaccine passport as proof of full vaccination required to enter venues like nightclubs. Health Secretary Sajid Javid later "ditched" the idea and ensured clubbers that they no longer need to be double jabbed by the end of September 2021 to get into Nightclubs or big events.
Do I need a booster jab?
Pfizer/BioNTech booster jabs are rolled out as part of the Government's winter covid plan. Shots can be given to people aged 50 and over, those in care homes and frontline health and social care workers. All those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and anyone aged 16 to 65 in an at-risk group for Covid will also be eligible for a jab. There must be at least 6 months between a 2nd vaccine dose and a booster jab.
Oxford jab scientist Sarah Gilbert says booster jabs are "not needed for all" and that they should instead go to countries with low vaccination rates.
Will children be vaccinated?
The government have also made vaccines available to children aged between 12-15 as part of the country's winter Covid plan.
What about five to 11-year-olds getting vaccinated?
All 5 to 11-year-olds in England can now receive a coronavirus jab, following advice from the JCVI and the same decision being made in Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is also expanding their vaccination programme to include the 5-11 age range. It means almost six million children in the UK will be offered the Covid-19 vaccination.