Coronavirus Vaccine-Related Frequently Asked Questions For Cambridge Residents

Press release from the City of Cambridge:

December 29, 2020

Distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts and Cambridge began on December 14, with hospitals receiving an initial delivery of first doses to be administered to health care workers as first priority, followed by residents and staff of long term care facilities, first responders, and congregate care settings.

The Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) will play a significant role in vaccinating first responders during Phase I and the general public during Phase III in Spring 2021. The Commonwealth is overseeing the administration and distribution of the vaccine, so guidance to local health departments and local boards of health is subject to change.

The City of Cambridge and the Cambridge Public Health Department recognize that there are many questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.

While a COVID-19 vaccine is crucial to fully mitigate the spread of, and ultimately wipe out, this pandemic, we must remain vigilant and continue 1) mask wearing, 2) physical distancing, and 3) good hand hygiene. Getting the vaccine is a good thing, but it does not mean that we can let our guard down and stop these important COVID-19 mitigation practices.

Sadly, there has been a great deal of misinformation and harmful allegations regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. These unfounded claims may cause unnecessary worry and hesitation among some in our community.

The Cambridge Public Health Department has provided the following “Myths and Facts,” created by the Mayo Clinic, which can help us all do our part to debunk these untrue and dangerous claims:

Myths & Facts

Myth: The COVID-19 vaccine isn’t safe because it was rapidly developed.

Myth: I already had COVID-19, so I don't need to get the vaccine.

Myth: There are severe side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines.

Myth: I won't need to wear a mask after I get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Myth: More people will die as a result of a negative side effect to the COVID-19 vaccines than would actually die from the virus.

Myth: The COVID-19 vaccine was developed as a way to control the general population either through microchip tracking or nano transducers in our brains.

Myth: The COVID-19 vaccine will alter my DNA.

Myth: The COVID-19 vaccines were developed using fetal tissue.

CPHD and the City will continue to update residents and those who work in Cambridge as more information becomes available.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have put together additional Frequently Asked Questions about the vaccine which can be found as follows:

• MDPH COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
• CDC COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine:

• Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Information
• CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Information

This press release was produced by the City of Cambridge. The views expressed here are the author’s own.