Bristol’s coronavirus questions answered by the city’s top doctors

Top doctors have laid to rest some of the most common myths and misinformation about Covid-19 after fielding hundreds of questions from communities across Bristol.

On the day the number of Covid-related deaths exceeded 100,000, the experts made clear that the vaccines are safe and do not contain animal products or microchips.

Deputy mayor Asher Craig, who opened the webinar on Tuesday, January 26, said she hoped people left knowing more about the vaccine and feeling more confident to speak to their friends and family about it.

What are some of the common myths, and what is the reality? 
Dr Rajeka Lazarus, a consultant in infectious disease at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, said it is not always easy to find the right answers so people sometimes turn to unreliable sources like YouTube or WhatsApp.

Addressing some common claims, she said: “The vaccines don’t have an impact on fertility and certainly don’t contain a chip that will track us.  The vaccines don’t contain animal products or cells from aborted foetuses.”

What would you say to people who think Covid-19 doesn’t exist, and that the news was made up? 
Respiratory consultant Dr Huzaifa Adamali said: “I wish this disease didn’t exist. I wish the last 12 months could evaporate.

“The facts speak for themselves – 97 million people worldwide have been infected and there have been two million deaths already.  It’s frightening. These people are our family members, our communities, our neighbours.

“Covid deaths are more likely to be under-reported than exaggerated.”

Ashton Gate Stadium is one of the mass vaccination centres. Photo: Claire Hayhurst

He said it was important to refute false claims, adding: “Wrong information has hazardous consequences.”

How do I know the vaccines are safe? 
Dr Lazarus said the vaccines had been made in record time but are safe.

She explained that vaccines for similar conditions were already available so adapting them for Covid-19 was straightforward.

Scientists around the world dropped what they were doing for clinical trials that governments threw huge sums of money at, there was no shortage of volunteers, and independent regulators worked around the clock to get the jabs signed off.
 
Why are the two doses spread out now? 
Dr Lazarus said: “Initially we were told we would get two doses three weeks apart. We’re now told we’ll get one dose and then another 12 weeks later.

“A single dose provides good enough protection to protect against disease. We need to vaccinate as many people as possible as quickly as possible so we can bring down the rate of infection.”

The vaccine will reduce the chance of further mutations of the virus, which is more likely when infection rates are higher.

What are the side effects? 
Side effects from the vaccines include pain around the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle ache, chills, fever and nausea.

Dr Lazarus said they should not last more than two or three days and can be relieved with paracetamol.

Jack Vokes, 98, is the first person in Bristol to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Photo: NHS South West Twitter

“Some people might feel worried about the side effects but the Covid-19 vaccines haven’t killed anyone. That’s not what we can say about Covid-19,” she added. “In the UK there have been 100,000 deaths because of Covid-19 infection.

“Those that are more likely to do die are the elderly, people with medical problems and people from our communities.

“If you’re a man of black African origin you’re 2.5 times more likely to die from Covid than your white counterpart. This is serious and very real.”

Is it safe to get the jab if I’m pregnant? 
There haven’t been clinical trials on pregnant women but Dr Lazarus said there was no reason to think it will not be safe for expectant mothers.

Kingswood GP Dr Neil Kerfoot, who is leading the vaccine rollout across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, added: “If my wife had the vaccine and she was pregnant I wouldn’t be worried about it. If she was pregnant and seeing patients or driving a bus I would be really thinking she should be getting the vaccine because it will protect her. If you become severely unwell it can threaten your pregnancy.”

The vaccine breaks down shortly after it is administered and will not transmit in breast milk.

What if I have a pre-existing condition? 
Dr Kerfoot said people with underlying conditions are more likely to become unwell if they contract Covid-19. He urged anyone with an autoimmune condition to come forward when they are invited to receive the vaccine.

Where can I get the vaccine? 
Bristol’s Ashton Gate was one of the first mass vaccination centres to open. Jabs are also being rolled out to pharmacies and Dr Kerfoot said it will soon come to doctors surgeries so people can get the vaccine from doctors and nurses they know and trust.

There are two vaccines available – which one should I get? 
Dr Charlie Kenward, who is supporting the mass vaccination campaign, said the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are considered equally effective. Which one you receive will depend on the supplies available.

Kenward is part of the mass vaccination effort. Photo: Bristol City Council

The Pfizer vaccine was approved first but needs to be kept at -70C, whereas the AstraZeneca one can be stored in a normal fridge, making it more portable.

Dr Kerfoot said if someone was determined to have one and not the other, he will put them on a list for when supplies came in.

What if I miss the call about my appointment? 
Dr Kerfoot said: “No one will be forgotten. We have lists. We will continue to contact you until you say you don’t want the vaccine.

“We would say we’re sorry you feel that way. If you change your mind, contact us and you will be able to have the vaccine.”

What if someone said they didn’t want to be treated like a guinea pig in an experiment? 
Mohammed Elsharif, who leads outbreak emergency work for Bristol City Council, said: “We are one community.

“We all feel the impact of Covid. More than 100,000 people have died in the UK. It’s time for us to trust our scientists. This is life and death.”

Elsharif stressed the vaccine’s importance. Photo: Bristol City Council

Is it okay for Muslims to have the vaccine? 
“We have guidance from the British Muslim Medical Association,” said Elsharif. “There’s no animal products in the vaccine. It’s Halal. It saves lives. Muslim scientists and scholars are backing it.”

What happens if the vaccine causes future health problems? 
Dr Lazarus said vaccines have a good long-term safety profile, and Dr Kenward said without the vaccine more people will face long-term health problems, like the previously healthy patients in their 30s he has treated who after recovering from Covid-19 now have difficulty breathing.

“I do triathlons – I’m genuinely frightened I won’t be able to do that,” he said. Dr Adamali said the majority of Covid-19 patients who suffer from fibrosis do recover.

What if I’m in the country illegally? 
Dr Liz Murphy was a GP for 30 years and now works supporting asylum seekers and refugees.

“Everyone in the UK is entitled to register with a GP,” she said. “Covid care is free for everybody. If you know anyone who doesn’t have a GP, you should encourage them to register.”

Liz Murphy was one of the health professionals to attend the webinar. Photo: Bristol City Council

How much does the vaccine cost? 
The vaccine is free.

Dr Kerfoot said: “If anyone tries to charge you, refuse and take their photo. No one will ever ask for your bank details. If they do, they aren’t part of the NHS.

“The vaccine is free and available.  Now we need everyone to come forward and have it so we can get on with our lives and move forward.”

Closing the event, Craig said: “Today we heard that the number of deaths exceeded 100,000. We’re going to see quite a lot more deaths over the next few weeks.

“We’re tired of being in lockdown and not being able to see our family and friends. Vaccines are our ticket back to freedom.”

Stephen Sumner is a local democracy reporter for North Somerset.

Main photo: Martin Booth

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