With the world still reeling under the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple vaccine updates flashing on news channels, there are bound to be a few misconceptions and conspiracy theories. One of the recent ones to catch everybody's attention revolves around them (vaccines) containing aborted fetal cells.
This supposed 'rumour' has caused a frenzy worldwide, with many parents demanding an explanation.
So do vaccines contain aborted fetal cells? And why should this concern parents and expecting mums, if it were to be true? Read on to know.
Do COVID-19 Vaccines Contain Fetal Cells?
Well, the answer is: no.
Infectious disease expert James Lawler, MD clarified that COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any amount of aborted fetal cells. The Nebraska Medicine website explained that vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna have made use of fetal cells lines only to perform confirmation tests.
Typically, fetal cell lines are grown in a laboratory. These cell lines are "thousands of generations removed from the original fetal tissue," and therefore, originally descended from cells that were taken from 1970s and 1980s elective abortions.
This means that none of the COVID-19 vaccines use fetal cells taken from recent abortions.
Why Are Fetal Cell Lines Used For Vaccines?
Fetal cell lines are typically used to formulate and manufacture in three different stages.
- Development stage: Where vaccine makers identify what works
- Confirmation stage: They ensure what works for the vaccine
- Production stage: Vaccine makes manufacture the formula that may work
"When it comes to the COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for emergency use, neither the Pfizer nor Moderna vaccines used fetal cell lines during the development or production phases," explained Lawler.
While both companies used HEK 293 cells that descended from a 1973 elective abortion in the Netherlands, there was no usage of fetal cell lines for manufacturing.
So this means that the injection you receive from your doctor will not contain fetal cells.
Important Updates On COVID-19 Vaccine In Singapore
Aside from following discussing your concerns with your doctor, here are a few information points for your benefit:
- You should still wear a mask even when vaccinated. Experts tell The Straits Times that despite receiving the vaccine, you must continue to practice pandemic etiquette and wear a mask when venturing out. This, even if you've received your first jab.
- It is important not to miss your second dosage of the vaccine.
According to Dr Clarence Teo, forgetting to get your second dose may not give you complete protection. So it is recommended to receive it on time, as advised by the doctor. - A shot of the vaccine does not mean you are protected for life.
Dr Teo also clarifies that getting a "one-time shot" of the vaccine is not enough. to protect you for life for "the vaccine will be effective for around six months." - The government aims to vaccinate all Singaporeans and long-term residents by the end of the year.
Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have already arrived and with more vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech said to arrive in the coming months, the government says they will continue to monitor the supplies delivered.
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