Fighting hearsay and false information: Director of Student Health presents ICE Events on vaccine facts and myths

“Hearsay and false information is everywhere!,” Amanda Byers, MSN, APRN, FNP-C and Director of the Student Health Center stated. Byers hosted a COVID-19 “Fact or Fiction” ICE Event last Thursday, Sept. 30 in the SAC Mezz to discuss facts and myths regarding the coronavirus vaccine.

“It’s highly frustrating,” she admitted. “I strongly encourage students and younger generations to look to scholarly, reputable sources for answers to the questions they have regarding the COVID-19 vaccination,” said Byers.

Of the many myths Byers has heard circulating, there are two that she felt are “important to debunk.”

The first myth is that getting the vaccine prevents one from contracting the virus. Vaccines are not guaranteed measures, just necessary preventative measures from diseases. The second myth is that that one can contract COVID-19 from the vaccine itself. Vaccines are meant to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies and do not contain a live version of the virus.

Byers believes it is important for students to do their own research before getting the vaccine.

“I do think it is important for students to get the vaccine if they are able to and feel comfortable with the decision,” she said.

Byers encourages students to avoid false information and to seek out reputable sources when looking to answer their questions.

“Dr. Google and one’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feed are not reputable sources. Delve into journal articles published in medical journals,” she asserted.