A large number of individuals all over the world are once morest vaccines, especially when it comes to those to prevent Covid-19. While some are antivax on principle, others are just afraid of side effects. However, the occurrence of these adverse effects is generally low. And one study even showed that these effects are essentially due to the nocebo effect.
The fear of the vaccine
More and more governments around the world are tightening their regulations on vaccination once morest Covid-19. Indeed, in countries and regions such as Austria, Indonesia and New Caledonia, vaccination once morest the coronavirus is compulsory for adults. In Ecuador, vaccination is even mandatory for anyone over the age of 5. Faced with the numerous reinforcements of measures to accelerate vaccination campaigns, antivax have never ceased to protest once morest these measures. By way of arguments to justify their aversion to vaccines, the latter regularly mention the side effects of vaccines.
Studies have indeed come to the conclusion that there are certain side effects to Covid-19 vaccines, some of which can be fatal. But these studies also state that the occurrence of these adverse effects is minimal, and therefore the benefits of vaccines far outweigh their potential dangers. Even more, a new study by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston has found that the actual occurrence of vaccine side effects is even lower than previously thought, as part of between them are due to the nocebo effect.
Specifically, the results of the study published in the journal JAMA Network Open state that up to 64% of adverse effects may be attributable to the nocebo effect. While we’ve all heard of the placebo effect before, the nocebo effect works the same way, but instead of inducing positive psychological and physiological effects on the body, the reverse happens. In other words, the nocebo effect can be described as a phenomenon in which inert substances or mere suggestions or apprehension regarding a certain substance cause negative effects in a patient.
A study that encourages the population to get vaccinated
To reach this conclusion, the researchers analyzed data from 12 clinical trials of vaccines once morest Covid-19. The 12 trials included reports of adverse events in 22,578 placebo recipients and 22,802 vaccine recipients. After the first injection, it was found that more than 35% of people who received the placebo experienced systemic side effects, i.e. symptoms affecting the whole body, such as fever, headaches and fatigue. 16% of placebo recipients also reported symptoms such as pain at the injection site, redness or swelling.
In comparison, following the first injection, 46% of vaccinees suffered at least one systemic adverse event and two-thirds of them reported at least one local effect. By comparing the ratios between the two groups, it was concluded that the nocebo effect accounted for up to 76% of systemic adverse events and 24% of local adverse events following the first dose of vaccine. However, these figures changed for the second dose. Fewer placebo patients reported adverse events, while adverse events increased among vaccine recipients. Overall, it has been suggested that up to 52% of adverse effects following the second dose are due to the nocebo effect.
In other words, vaccines once morest Covid-19 are even less dangerous than we thought. The researchers hope that the results of this study will encourage more people to get vaccinated. ” Collecting systematic evidence regarding these nocebo responses in vaccine trials is important for Covid-19 vaccination globally, particularly because concerns regarding side effects are believed to be a reason for vaccine hesitancy. said Julia W. Haas, lead author of the study, in a statement.
