The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to keep a safe distance from others and clean your hands frequently and thoroughly.
Vaccines are thoroughly tested for safety before they're approved
Vaccines go through extensive trials before they can be introduced in a country. Expert doctors and scientists follow strict international standards while deciding whether to approve a vaccine. Like all medicines, vaccines may cause side effects that are usually minor and temporary. More serious side effects are extremely rare. A person is far more likely to be seriously harmed by a disease than by its vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccine development was accelerated without impacting safety
The need for a COVID-19 vaccine was urgent, so many resources were used to develop it quickly. Research and development took place at the same time around the world while still adhering to strict safety and clinical standards. This allowed for faster vaccine development, but doesn’t make the studies any less rigorous or the vaccine any less safe.
Vaccines help protect the body from certain diseases. Like any medicine, they can cause minor, short-term side effects while the body adjusts them, such as a sore arm or a mild fever. More serious side effects are possible, but extremely rare. A person is far more likely to be seriously harmed by a disease than by its vaccine.
Vaccine trials involve a diverse range of volunteers
In clinical trials, people volunteer to take and test the vaccine. These volunteers should be from diverse geographic areas, racial and ethnic backgrounds, genders, and ages. They should also include people with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk for the disease. This helps ensure the vaccine is safe and effective for everyone.
COVID-19 vaccine trials are following safety and ethical standards
COVID-19 vaccines, like any vaccine, should follow standard development protocol to test the vaccine’s effectiveness and identify any common side effects or safety concerns. This includes multiple stages of testing with tens of thousands of volunteers.
You won't be able to make a COVID-19 vaccine at home
Vaccine development is a complicated, technical process that can’t be done at home. It involves extensive laboratory testing followed by clinical trials involving thousands of volunteers. Vaccines must be approved in a country by expert doctors and scientists.
Viruses, including the one that causes COVID-19, cannot travel on radio waves or mobile networks. COVID-19 is spreading in many countries that do not have 5G mobile networks.