This browser does not support the Video element.
UW-Madison expert debunks COVID-19 vaccine myths
Professor Ajay Sethi with the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health wants to clear up some misconceptions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
MILWAUKEE - Some people are hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, mainly because they don't know what's fact and what's fiction.
FOX6 News sat down with an expert Thursday, Feb. 4 to debunk three of the most common vaccine myths.
Professor Ajay Sethi with the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health wants to clear up some misconceptions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
"It's perfectly fine for people to be concerned when they’re receiving any kind of medical intervention or any kind of vaccine," Sethi said.
Professor Ajay Sethi
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.
The vaccine has not been out long enough for doctors to know if it is effective at stopping disease transmission.
That is why mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing are still advised.
Myth 1: You are unable to contract COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine.
Sethi said the point of the vaccine is to suppress any serious symptoms if you contract COVID-19 -- not to make you immune to infection.
"In the clinical trials that tested these vaccines, they were 95% effective for protecting against any symptoms at all, even the mild ones. But they were 100% effective in preventing hospitalization, so it actually does a really excellent job, better than most of the vaccines we have right now."
Myth 2: There are microchips inside the vaccine that can track you.
Sethi said the microchip myth is just a page right out of a science fiction book.
"Maybe when people hear these RNA molecules in the vaccine are inserted into little fat droplets, and the technical term for those fat droplets are lipid nanoparticles. Maybe the word nano, nanochips, nanotechnology, people kind of maybe think that it's connected with microchips. It’s really far out there. It’s not really correct at all."
Myth 3: The vaccine can give you long-term side effects.
While side effects are a possibility, Sethi said the chance of those effects being long-term is unlikely not just for the COVID-19 vaccine, buy any vaccine.
"For all vaccines in general, you don’t really have long-term effects from vaccines. Any kind of adverse event or side effect from the vaccine will be experienced pretty immediately."
Gov. Evers issues new statewide mask order after GOP repeal
Gov. Tony Evers signed new executive orders establishing a statewide public health emergency and requiring face coverings in public places to protect the health and safety of Wisconsinites.
High-risk patients face COVID-19 vaccine questions
UW Health experts say it's crucial for high-risk groups to talk closely with a health care provider, sharing important information about vaccinations.
COVID-19 vaccine resources & more
Milwaukee Health Department info on COVID-19 vaccine
Wisconsin Department of Health Services info on COVID-19 vaccine
CLICK HERE to view the Milwaukee County COVID-19 dashboard.
CLICK HERE to view the latest COVID-19 totals (updated daily at 2 p.m.) from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
CoronavirusNow.com: A Fox Television Stations initiative to provide you with the most up-to-date national and international news on COVID-19.Helpful phone numbers