4 misconceptions people have about COVID-19 and vaccine addressed by Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang

Waterloo region's medical officer of health says there are still some misconceptions about the COVID-19 virus and the vaccine.

Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang addressed some of them during a media briefing on Friday.

"Sometimes people hear information that's incorrect," she said, adding people can reach out to public health, their pharmacist or their family doctor if they have questions.

"We really encourage people to reach out and ask questions if they have them so that they can feel comfortable that they have the right information and feel comfortable taking the vaccine."

Misconception 1: I've had COVID-19 so I have natural immunity and don't need the vaccine

Not the case, Wang says.

"Absolutely we recommend that even if you've had COVID in the past, you should be immunized. That will protect you better," She said.

That's in line with provincial and federal recommendations, she added.

People can also get infected with the virus more than once, which is another reason to get the shot even if you've had COVID-19.

Misconception 2: I'm fully vaccinated and can't get COVID-19

Wang says it's true that people who are unvaccinated are more at risk for becoming seriously ill from the virus.

But while fully vaccinated people are protected, the vaccine does not provide 100 per cent protection from the virus and people can still get it.

"When you are in a community where there is circulation of COVID-19, or where … spread of COVID-19 increases, everybody is at increased risk because there's more exposure to the virus," she said.

"Yes, those that are unvaccinated will be at particular risk," she added. "But even those vaccinated — and that's more so for those who are only partially vaccinated — they will be still at risk of being infected and potentially becoming ill if there's a lot of spread of the virus going around."

Basically, Wang says, the more spread of virus, the more chance for exposure for everyone.

People who are fully vaccinated should still follow public health guidance, Wang said. That includes wearing a mask, going outside when possible and keeping a physical distance from people outside their own households.

Misconception 3: My appointment for my 2nd dose is not for a few months, but I can wait

Wang says she's heard this more often recently and she urges people not to wait. With the regional clinics accepting walk-ins for first and second doses, there's no reason to wait.

"You're not as well protected with only one dose against the delta variant. You really need to try to complete your series as soon as you can to have the best protection," she said.

"With two doses, it is really excellent protection against serious illness."

She said the more people in the community who are fully vaccinated, "the less chance delta will have of resurging in any significant way."

Misconception 4: I've heard the side effects for the 2nd dose are terrible

Dr. Kelly Grindrod, a pharmacist and associate professor of pharmacy at the University of Waterloo, said on Twitter this week that while working at a vaccination clinic, many people had concerns about side effects of the second dose.

Wang says there's been a lot of talk about side effects, especially by people on social media, but she says the side effects for the COVID-19 vaccine are similar to other vaccines.

That means people may have a sore arm, headache, fever, a feeling of being tired or generally unwell, but the side effects generally are gone after 24 to 48 hours.

"It is the normal kinds of side effects that we generally see with vaccines, which are temporary," Wang said.

"I really would like to let people know, the side effects, the vast majority of people who receive COVID-19 vaccines have side effects [that] only last a short period of time, a day or two."

Wang said the vaccine is also important because "it's something that actually really works to help prevent you from getting COVID" and that getting COVID-19 is going to "really be more severe overall."