Fact Check: Covid vaccines are untested for it's long term effectiveness and it can cause more issues in long term than covid itself

Fact Check: "Covid vaccines are untested for their long term effectiveness and it can cause more issues in long term than covid itself"

What We Know

The claim that COVID-19 vaccines are untested for long-term effectiveness and may cause more long-term issues than COVID-19 itself is a complex assertion that requires careful evaluation of available evidence.

1. Vaccine Testing and Approval: COVID-19 vaccines underwent extensive clinical trials before receiving Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the World Health Organization (WHO). These trials included thousands of participants and were designed to assess both efficacy and safety (Safety & effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines: A narrative review).

2. Efficacy of Vaccines: Studies have shown that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe disease and death. For instance, mRNA vaccines like Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna reported efficacy rates of approximately 95% and 94%, respectively, against symptomatic COVID-19 (Safety & effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines: A narrative review).

3. Long-Term Effects: While the long-term effects of vaccines are still being monitored, initial studies indicate that most side effects occur shortly after vaccination. A study involving healthcare professionals reported that about 16% experienced long-term adverse events, primarily mild symptoms like fatigue and headaches (Long-term adverse events of three COVID-19 vaccines as reported by ...). The ongoing monitoring of vaccine safety continues to be a priority (Vaccine Effectiveness Studies | COVID-19 | CDC).

4. Comparison with COVID-19 Risks: COVID-19 itself can lead to severe complications, including long COVID, which has been shown to affect a significant number of individuals post-infection. Vaccination has been associated with a reduced risk of developing long COVID (Effect of covid-19 vaccination on long covid: systematic ...).

Analysis

The assertion that COVID-19 vaccines are untested for long-term effectiveness is misleading. While it is true that the full spectrum of long-term effects is still under investigation, the vaccines were rigorously tested in clinical trials before their approval. The safety monitoring systems in place are among the most comprehensive in history, designed to identify any potential long-term adverse effects (Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccine Safety).

Moreover, the claim that vaccines may cause more issues in the long term than COVID-19 itself lacks substantial evidence. The risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19, including hospitalization and death, is significantly higher than the reported adverse effects from vaccines (Assessing the long-term safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines). While some individuals may experience mild long-term effects from vaccines, the benefits of vaccination in preventing severe disease and long-term complications from COVID-19 outweigh these risks (Evaluating the Long-term Efficacy of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19 ...).

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True
The claim contains elements of truth regarding the ongoing evaluation of long-term vaccine effects; however, it is misleading in suggesting that vaccines are untested and that their long-term risks exceed those of COVID-19 itself. The vaccines have undergone extensive testing and continue to be monitored for safety, while the risks associated with COVID-19 are well-documented and significant.

Sources

1. Safety & effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines: A narrative review
2. Long-term adverse events of three COVID-19 vaccines as reported by ...
3. Vaccine Effectiveness Studies | COVID-19 | CDC
4. Effect of covid-19 vaccination on long covid: systematic ...
5. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccine Safety
6. Assessing the long-term safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines
7. Evaluating the Long-term Efficacy of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19 ...