Coronavirus vaccine: Will the coronavirus vaccine be safe? Vaccine myths debunked

Pfizer boosted coronavirus vaccine hopes earlier this month as their vaccine – which they worked on alongside German company BioNTech – passed a vital stage in its development process. Researchers found it prevented coronavirus infection in 90 percent of cases, and world leaders have since pledged they will roll out doses as soon as they become available. The vaccine still has more hurdles to pass before it becomes publicly available, however, with mass-vaccinations unlikely until next year.

Will the coronavirus vaccine be safe?

The vaccine development process traditionally takes several years to finalise in most cases.

But the COVID-19 pandemic introduced a unique situation for scientists and governments worldwide, who had to squeeze years of preparation into months.

The US, where Pfizer is based, is now within spitting distance of their first workable jab after fast-tracking years of development into months.

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They also do not overload or weaken the immune system, meaning people can take multiple doses in a short time if necessary.

Another common misconception alleges they include mercury (otherwise known as thiomersal), but they do not.

Some people may find they have allergies to vaccination, but this stems from adverse reactions to gelatine or eggs, which serve as a basis for incubating jabs.

They cannot cause allergies or other conditions, however, and people end up much safer taking a vaccine than not according to the NHS.