Sometimes it’s surprising to see how even in this day and age where verifiable information is readily available at the end of our fingertips; there can still be doubts or misconceptions about undeniable facts. One particular example would be the sentiment around vaccines. 

Although there are several research papers out there, backed by reputable sources and organizations, there are still some who are hesitant on getting vaccinated. What’s worse is there are others, whether knowingly or out of paranoia-induced fear, that share misinformation regarding such. As bleak as it all sounds, there are those who continue to fight the good fight and work on ensuring facts win over fiction in the medical field, sometimes even through fun and interactive means. 

Recently, Watsons took part in hosting a vaccination awareness event held at the RCBC Plaza’s Carlos P. Romulo Theater in Makati City. Invited to speak as part of a group panel discussion were esteemed medical experts Dr. Winston Kilimanjaro Tiwaquen, Dr. Cristina Ignacio-Alberto, Dr. Minette Claire Rosario, Dr. Nicole Anne Buenavista, and Dr. Gilinezabel Igtiben-De La Fuente. Together, the five doctors debunked some common misconceptions regarding vaccinations and talked about the crucial role of utilizing social media in educating others about medical information. Here are a few fun facts picked up from the discussion.

Vaccines do not make people sick.

A vaccine’s primary function is to help prevent sickness. It was heavily stressed that vaccines have minimal side effects compared to getting the actual disease. The common belief that vaccines make people sick often stem from how some can get a fever after getting vaccinated. This is simply our body’s immune system reacting to the vaccine and will likely last a day or two at most. It’s worth noting that a short amount of pain or discomfort will always be worth it if it means protecting our bodies, as well as, those around us.

Vaccines are safe and undergo a rigorous safety check.

There might be a lingering fear for many, especially after the onslaught of Covid-19, that vaccines are hastily made for pharmaceutical companies to reap the benefits. This is simply untrue. Based on data provided by the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), vaccines must go through a long process before it is rolled out to the public. In the US, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carries out the steps in ensuring vaccines are safe for general use. These include extensive laboratory research, some of which can take up to many years, a proof of concept to show how effective the vaccine can be when applied to humans, extensive testing, watching over the manufacturing process, and seeking approval from the proper channels before use. Even after all these steps, once the vaccine is rolled out for use, there are extra steps in place taken to keep track of any potential undesired side effects and each new batch are continuously put under inspection. 

Vaccination is better than natural immunity.

Natural immunity is when our body’s immune system creates antibodies to ward off infectious diseases that we may encounter. While it may seem enough to keep us safe, vaccination is still considered your best bet in warding off illnesses like flu, pneumonia, HPV, shingles, and hepatitis B as acquiring natural immunity means having to get sick first in order to be immune. This puts yourself and those around you at risk. Always better to be safe than sorry.

After the panel discussion, Spit Manila held an improvisation show to boost up the crowd and present medical facts in a fun way. Joining them for some of the skits was entertainer Ruffa Mae Quinto. Laughter filled the room as guests gave health-related prompts for the performers to work with. At the end, it left people informed and entertained. 

If you’re feeling more confident now regarding vaccinations, you’ll be happy to learn that getting vaccinated has been made easier as now you can also get vaccinated by visiting select Watsons branches. Available vaccines include vaccinations for flu, pneumonia 13, pneumonia 23, HPV4, shingles, and hepatitis B. You can check the vaccination schedule and book your appointment via the Watsons website.