KY doctors debunk popular COVID-19 theories

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Many people have given reasons why they’ve chosen not to get the vaccine, among them, the shots hadn’t been given full approval, and some buy-in to the endless conspiracy theories on social media.

So, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce invited doctors from across the state to debunk those theories.

It held a panel discussion with hundreds of Kentucky business owners across multiple industries friday. The goal was to answer the most common questions and address the conspiracies as many employers try to convince their employees to get vaccinated.

One myth: “Kids are resistant to COVID-19.”

“We sheltered our kids at home and that’s why we didn’t see these cases happening and circulating,” Dr. Fadi Al Akhrass, of Pikeville Medical Center, said. “Currently, these kids are fully engaged in physical activities, they are in full-contact sports, they go into schools, and you can tell that these numbers are growing.”

Doctors said 25-percent of the state’s positive cases are in kids.

Another myth: “The vaccine creates infertility and it’s not safe for pregnant women.”

Doctor’s said the misinformation began because people assume the vaccine targets the spike protein on the placenta, which they say isn’t true.

“There’s been absolutely no evidence, so far, that there’s any adverse effect on women throughout their reproductive years, whether they’re breastfeeding, pregnant, or considering pregnancy,” Dr. James Borders, of Baptist Health Lexington, said.

A third myth: “You can’t spread the virus if you’ve had it.”

Doctors said a recent state study shows people in that category have a 2.3 fold higher chance of re-infection compared to fully vaccinated people. They say that also goes into the myth that vaccinated people don’t need masks

Another myth: “The vaccine can come in and change your DNA.”

The doctors said, in a word, no. It doesn’t. They said the vaccine is designed to help the body fight off the virus, and to help do that, spike proteins are produced.

The long explanation – messenger RNA is wrapped with a lipid droplet, which acts as a vehicle and latches onto the muscular cell. Then, the messenger RNA is released into the cell and gives information to the ribosomes that then produce the spike proteins. 

“And the spike proteins will be expelled into our system, training our immune system to be able to produce the immune fighters,” Akhrass said.

Yet, another myth: “Do the vaccines contain microchips?”

Doctors said this “plan” would be poorly executed because the vaccine vials have about six to ten doses each.

“So somebody will take ten, somebody will take one, so this is absolutely absurd to think this way,” Akhrass said. “And number two, I’ve never heard of a soluble microchip.”

Overall, doctors said buying into conspiracy theories will lead to more variants – a reality they fear.