Rhode Island doctor debunks myths about COVID-19 vaccine as rollout gets underway

A Rhode Island emergency room doctor is taking on the slate of myths around the COVID-19 vaccine and debunking them as the historic vaccination effort gets underway across the country this week.

Dr. Megan Ranney,  an emergency room physician for Brown Emergency Medicine and director of the Brown Lifespan Center for Digital Health, tackled a range of myths about both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in a Tuesday Twitter thread, addressing misconceptions about the trials and efficacy of the injections. 

“If you believe all of this was made up, I have a bridge to sell you,” Ranney said of those questioning the science behind the vaccines.

The Rhode Island doctor isn’t the only physician seeking to dispel hesitancy around the vaccines. Prominent public health figures — from Dr. Anthony Fauci to Dr. Ashish Jha and other local doctors — are making almost daily appeals to the public to get the vaccine when it comes time and answering common questions about the process. 

“There is no magic cure,” Ranney wrote Tuesday. “These vaccines are our hope to getting back to normal.”

Read her full thread below.

Myth: it hasn’t been adequately studied

Fact: both the Pfizer & Moderna vaccines underwent the normal, rigorous, 3 phase trial system. No corners were cut. pic.twitter.com/NZG5pEssNb

— Megan Ranney MD MPH 🗽 (@meganranney) December 15, 2020

Myth: people weren’t followed long enough after getting the vaccine

Fact: Documented adverse effects to vaccines show up mostly in hours, sometimes in days, rarely in weeks. All participants were followed for a minimum of 2 months. pic.twitter.com/mH5nJ9rLDo

— Megan Ranney MD MPH 🗽 (@meganranney) December 15, 2020

Myth: it will cause autoimmune disease

Fact: it did not cause flares among those in the trials with existing diseases. Yes, it causes an immune rxn (that’s how it works!) – but the rxn to the vaccine is <<< the rxn to the virus. See also https://t.co/7vXcVOJqHC pic.twitter.com/E4nlMch9GB

— Megan Ranney MD MPH 🗽 (@meganranney) December 15, 2020

Myth: no one can confirm it actually works/ it’s all a conspiracy

Fact: It works. Read the paper or the 50+ page FDA data release. (If you believe all of this was made up, I have a bridge to sell you.)https://t.co/rBx0Ynh2OI

— Megan Ranney MD MPH 🗽 (@meganranney) December 15, 2020

Myth: One and done! One shot and I’m good to go.

Fact: The studies all look at 2 shots. You can’t just get 1, & think you’ll be protected. Even after 2 shots, you will be protected from severe disease… but until 70-80% of us have been vaccinated, you still need to #maskup pic.twitter.com/duBoSX0T47

— Megan Ranney MD MPH 🗽 (@meganranney) December 15, 2020

More from me and @choo_ek here: https://t.co/SonKt3U8dy

— Megan Ranney MD MPH 🗽 (@meganranney) December 15, 2020

Another myth: I / scientists / public health professionals are “glossing over” issues.

Fact: We’ll continue to monitor this vaccine closely (as part of normal “Phase 4,” during general use). Right now, risks (minor side effects) are CLEARLY less than benefits (protexn), though!

— Megan Ranney MD MPH 🗽 (@meganranney) December 15, 2020