In the exceptional context of the COVID-19 pandemic, together with the rapid development of vaccines and the large amount of information circulating, numerous myths arose that persist today.

Myth 1: COVID-19 no longer exists

Although there are no longer any health restrictions, the virus continues to circulate and mutate, still causing hospitalizations and deaths, especially among vulnerable or unvaccinated people^1,2.

In addition, many people who contracted/got infected with COVID-19 some time ago continue to experience symptoms, a condition known as long COVID ^1-3.

Vaccination is one of the most effective strategies to reduce severe cases, deaths, and the risk of developing long COVID ^1,3,4.

Myth 2: I don't need to get vaccinated because I've recently had COVID-19

Natural immunity is neither predictable nor long-lasting, while the vaccine offers stronger and more reliable protection against multiple variants of the virus^1,5.

Getting vaccinated after having COVID-19 reduces the risk of reinfection and/or developing severe disease^5,6.

Due to the high mutation rate of the virus, you may not be protected against variants that are currently circulating^1,5. Therefore, it is essential to adapt the composition of the vaccine and maintain a regular vaccination¹.

Myth 3: COVID-19 vaccines were developed very quickly and steps were skipped

The rapid development was due to a combination of factors: health emergency, large public/private investment, known technologies, priority in procedures, reviews, and consultations during development, among others^7,8.

The vaccines were developed following the same process as any other drug: preclinical phase and three clinical phases. All phases were completed, although due to the pandemic situation, they were reviewed more quickly by the Regulatory Authorities, which accelerated the process^7,9.

Having ensured the safety and efficacy of these vaccines, the EMA's authorization followed the same process that normally takes place^7,8.

Myth 4: COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and cause serious side effects

COVID-19 vaccines have a very high safety profile¹⁰. However, side effects may occur, which are continuously monitored and weighed against the risks associated with contracting the disease^11-13.

The most common side effects after administration of the COVID-19 vaccine are usually mild and temporary, occurring 24-48 hours after vaccination. Some examples are: pain at the injection site, fatigue, fever, or headache¹⁰.

Serious complications have been reported but are rare. Some examples are: cardiovascular effects, anaphylactic reactions, or neurological effects. However, these are rare¹². These are described in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).

^{Citations:
1.Ministerio de Sanidad. Recomendaciones de vacunación frente a COVID-19. 2025-2026, España [Internet]. Disponible en: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/areas/ promocionPrevencion/vacunaciones/gripe_covid19/docs/recomendacionesVacunacionCovid19_2025_2006.pdf 2. Sistema de Vigilancia de Infección Respiratoria Aguda (SiVIRA). Vigilancia de Infección Respiratoria Aguda: gripe, COVID-19 y VRS. Semana 36/2025 [Internet]. Disponible en: https:// docsivira.isciii.es/Informe_semanal_SiVIRA_202536.html 3. Catala M et al. The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines to prevent long COVID symptoms: staggered cohort study of data from the UK, Spain, and Estonia. Lancet Resp Med. 2024: 12 (3):225-236. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00414-9. 4. Dashb A et al. Vaccinations, cardiovascular drugs, hospitalization, and mortality in COVID-19 and long COVID. Int J Infect Dis. 2024; 146:107155. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107155 5.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). COVID-19: Benefits of getting vaccinated [Internet]. Disponible en: https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/benefits.html 6.Goldberg Y et al. Protection and waning of natural and hybrid immunity to SARS-CoV-2. N Engl J Med. 2022; 386(23):2201-2212. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2118946 7.European Medicines Agency (EMA). COVID-19 vaccines: development, evaluation, approval and monitoring [Internet]. Disponible en: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/public-health threats/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-19-public-health-emergency-international-concern-2020-23/covid-19-vaccines-development-evaluation-approval monitoring 8. European Comission. COVID-19 vaccines: How are they developed, authorised and put on the market? [Internet]. Disponible en: https:// ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/files/attachment/867310/Factsheet%204%20-%20Vaccination%20Development%20Authorisation_EN.pdf 9.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination [Internet]. Disponible en: https://archive.cdc.gov/ www_cdc_gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html 10.Ministerio de Sanidad. Vacunación frente a COVID-19 temporada 2025-2026. Preguntas y respuestas sobre vacunación frente a COVID-19 [Internet]. Disponible en: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/areas/promocionPrevencion/vacunaciones/ gripe_covid19/docs/preguntasyRespuestas_VacunacionCovid19_2025_2026.pdf 11.Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (AEMPS). Farmacovigilancia de vacunas [Internet]. Disponible en: https://www.aemps.gob.es/la-aemps/ultima-informacion-de-la-aemps-acerca-del-covid-19/vacunas contra-la-covid-19/farmacovigilancia-de-vacunas/ 12. European Medicines Agency (EMA). Safety of COVID-19 vaccines: Suspected side effects [Internet]. Disponible en: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/public-health threats/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-19-medicines/safetycovid-19-vaccines 13.Yaamika H et al. Review of adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccines, highlighting their frequencies and reported cases. J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2023; 18(6):1646-1661. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2023.08.004}