COVID-19 vaccines myth busting #3

All viruses mutate.

COVID-19 is no different and there have been reports in media recently about new strains of the virus. This does not mean the vaccines will not be effective on new variants. Evidence tells us that the COVID-19 vaccines will still be effective against these new variants. 

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will also closely look at this as part of their approval and monitoring processes. It may mean people need booster shots like tetanus and whooping cough or it may mean we need to be vaccinated again – like we are for the flu vaccine each year.

Researchers are still investigating this, but they do know the virus has not mutated enough to make current vaccines ineffective. All the vaccines that are currently approved for use in Australia and other countries have demonstrated they are highly effective in preventing severe illness from COVID-19.

No, COVID-19 vaccines do not alter your DNA.

The Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine uses a fragment of messenger RNA (mRNA) to instruct your body to make an immune response against COVID-19. There is a crucial difference between mRNA and DNA. 

DNA, which makes up our genetic code, is larger, double stranded and very long. The mRNA is a single stranded copy of a small part of the DNA, which is often released to send instructions to other parts of the cell. DNA is stored in the protected centre of our cells – the nucleus. The mRNA is broken down quickly by the body. It never enters the nucleus, and cannot affect or combine with our DNA in any way to change our genetic code. 

Instead, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines teach the cell how to make a protein that triggers an immune response specific to COVID-19. The vaccines work with the body’s natural defences to develop immunity to disease.

COVID-19 vaccines do not alter your DNA.

Some of the new COVID-19 vaccines use a fragment of Messenger RNA (mRNA) to instruct your body to make an immune response against COVID-19. The mRNA does not do anything to your DNA. 

When you get a vaccine, the vaccine is given into your body. COVID-19 vaccines in Australia are given by injection. There is nothing taken from your body, including your DNA. There is no way anyone can collect your DNA by having a COVID-19 vaccination.

Vaccination for COVID-19 is voluntary – as are all vaccinations in Australia – and people maintain the option to choose.

This will apply to any COVID-19 vaccination that may become available. There may be circumstances in the future in which proof of vaccination will be required, such as border or re-entry requirements, or continued employment in particular areas. One example of this is the mandatory vaccination requirements for all residential aged care workers which will come into effect on 17 September 2021 in line with relevant state and territory directions.