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| - Last Updated on May 26, 2023 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A social media post claims that COVID vaccines speed up the aging process. We fact-checked and found the claim to be False.
The Claim
An Instagram post claims that COVID vaccines accelerate the aging process in the human body. According to the claim, individuals who are fully vaccinated will age faster than those who are not vaccinated and will develop age-related diseases prematurely.
The post has received 514 likes till we last checked.
Fact Check
What is aging process?
We can’t stop getting older. Aging is a gradual process of wear and tear on our bodies. It means that over time, we accumulate injuries and become more prone to getting age-related diseases. Some factors, like how our genes work or long-term environmental exposure can be connected to these health problems that come with age. So, considering these factors are important when we talk about the aging process.
Do COVID vaccines speed up the aging process?
No. There is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines speed up the aging process. The COVID-19 vaccines were developed using various methods, including messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, viral vector technology, and inactivated virus technology. These vaccines trigger an immune response that can help protect against COVID-19, but they do not affect the aging process.
As per the available research, COVID-19 vaccines actually decrease the likelihood of severe COVID-19. As severe COVID-19 has been linked to accelerated aging, it is expected that the vaccines would mitigate this risk.
We consulted Dr Sumit Aggarwal who is a Scientist D and Program officer, Division of Epidemiology & Communicable Diseases at the Indian Council of Medical Research, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, to understand more about the claim.
To this, he explains, “The condition that some people experience after recovering from acute COVID-19, known as post-COVID condition, is indeed important. People continue to have various symptoms even after their initial illness has resolved. Some of the key symptoms include brain fog (difficulty in thinking clearly), unexplained fatigue (feeling tired all the time), and breathlessness, among others.”
Dr Agarwal further informs, “Although researchers have been studying this condition, there is no single theory that can fully explain it. One aspect that has been explored is accelerated epigenetic aging, but it is not yet fully understood or able to provide a complete explanation. There is still a lot of research required to better understand and find answers for post-COVID condition and its underlying causes.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) website informs that vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, can have side effects. Some people may experience mild to moderate side effects after vaccination, such as fever, fatigue, or muscle aches. These side effects are generally short-lived and do not have any long-term effects on the aging process.
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