Debunking the Mistruths and Misinformation About COVID-19

AI image of Flu/COVID-19 (Adobe Stock 331554686 by Przemyslaw Iciak)

More than 5 years have passed since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. In that time, the global scientific community has conducted extensive research, developed effective vaccines, and implemented public health strategies that have saved millions of lives. Yet despite this progress, COVID-19 continues to circulate worldwide, causing infections, hospitalizations, and long-term health complications. According to the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker, as of August 2025, viral activity remains moderate to high across much of the US, with wastewater surveillance indicating rising transmission in 45 states.¹ Although the virus itself remains a threat, misinformation about COVID-19 has become a parallel epidemic, one that undermines public health efforts and endangers lives.

Myth #1: Foods, Drinks, or Supplements Can Prevent or Cure COVID-19

From garlic and ginger to zinc and vitamin D, countless foods and supplements have been promoted as miracle solutions against COVID-19. Although nutrition is vital in supporting immune function, no dietary component has been scientifically proven to prevent or cure SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vitamin D, for example, has been studied extensively. Although deficiency may correlate with increased susceptibility to respiratory infections, randomized controlled trials have not shown that supplementation prevents COVID-19.² Zinc and vitamin C, often associated with shortened cold duration, have similarly failed to demonstrate efficacy against COVID-19 in clinical settings. The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly emphasized that no food, drink, or supplement can replace vaccination or public health measures in preventing COVID-19.³ Herbal remedies, despite their popularity, lack the rigorous testing required to validate their effectiveness against this virus.

Myth #2: COVID-19 Vaccines Are Unsafe

Concerns about vaccine safety have been among the most damaging myths of the pandemic. COVID-19 vaccines underwent extensive clinical trials before receiving emergency use authorization and later full approval. These trials involved tens of thousands of participants and evaluated safety, efficacy, and potential adverse effects. Real-world data continue to affirm the safety profile of these vaccines.⁴ According to the CDC’s vaccine effectiveness surveillance for the 2024-2025 season, messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines demonstrated a 33% effectiveness in preventing emergency department visits and a 45% effectiveness in preventing hospitalizations.^4,5 These figures reflect substantial protection, especially among older adults and immunocompromised individuals. Most adverse effects are mild and transient, including fatigue, headache, and soreness at the injection site. Serious adverse events are exceedingly rare. Contrary to disinformation spread on the internet and in some media, the mRNA platform, although new to the public, has been under development for decades and offers a safe mechanism for inducing immunity.⁵

Myth #3: COVID-19 Vaccines Cause Infertility or Pregnancy Complications

One of the most persistent and harmful myths is that COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility or pregnancy outcomes. This claim is not supported by any credible scientific evidence. Multiple studies have shown no difference in fertility rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.² Vaccination during pregnancy is not only safe but strongly recommended. Pregnant women are at increased risk for severe COVID-19, and vaccination helps protect the mother and the fetus. Data from thousands of pregnancies have found no increase in miscarriage, congenital disabilities, or other complications linked to the vaccine.³ The notion that one cannot become or stay pregnant after receiving the vaccine is not only false but dangerous. Health care professionals must continue to reassure expectant and future mothers with evidence-based guidance.

Myth #4: If You Have Had COVID-19, You Do Not Need the Vaccine

Natural infection does confer some immunity, but it is incomplete and wanes over time. Reinfections are common, particularly with immune-evasive variants like NB.1.18.1 (Nimbus) and XFG (Stratus). Hybrid immunity, combining prior infection with vaccination, offers the most robust protection. Vaccination boosts neutralizing antibody levels and broadens T-cell responses, reducing the risk of severe disease and long COVID or postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. A study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that individuals with hybrid immunity had significantly lower hospitalization and reinfection rates than those with natural immunity alone. Even individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 benefit significantly from vaccination. It remains a critical component of long-term protection.⁶

Myth #5: COVID-19 Does Not Cause Long-Term Damage

Some believe that once the acute infection is resolved, COVID-19 leaves no lasting effects. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. Long COVID is a well-documented condition affecting millions. A large National Institutes of Health (NIH)–funded study involving nearly 10,000 participants identified 12 hallmark symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, and postexertional malaise. Approximately 10% of adults infected with SARS-CoV-2 continue to experience symptoms 6 months post infection.⁷

Recent data show that long COVID affects 6.9% of US adults—over 14 million people—and 1.5% of children. Cognitive impairment, particularly among older adults, is a growing concern. A global study found that individuals older than 60 years who experienced severe infection and anosmia had double the risk of dementia-like symptoms.⁷ Vaccination has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of long COVID, further reinforcing its importance.⁷

Myth #6: Cleaning Surfaces Is the Best Way to Prevent COVID-19

Early in the pandemic, many people focused on cleaning surfaces obsessively, believing that disinfecting groceries and doorknobs was the key to preventing infection. Although surface hygiene is important, SARS-CoV-2 is primarily transmitted through airborne particles. Fomite (objects or materials that can carry pathogens) transmission is rare. The emphasis should be on improving ventilation, wearing masks in enclosed spaces, and maintaining hand hygiene. Public health strategies now prioritize air quality and respiratory protection over surface decontamination.⁸

Myth #7: Masks Do Not Work

Masks remain a critical tool in reducing transmission. High-quality masks such as N95s and KN95s filter out airborne particles effectively. Studies have consistently shown that mask mandates correlate with reduced transmission rates, especially in indoor and high-density settings. A meta-analysis published in The BMJfound that mask use was associated with a 53% reduction in COVID-19 incidence. Masking is significant during seasonal surges and in health care environments with vulnerable populations.⁹

Myth #8: Hand Sanitizer Is Ineffective

Some have unfairly dismissed hand sanitizer as ineffective. In truth, alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol are highly effective at killing most viruses and bacteria. They are instrumental when soap and water are not readily available. Although hand sanitizer is not a cure-all and should not replace other precautions like masking or vaccination, it remains a valuable part of a layered defense strategy.³

Myth #9: Social Distancing Is No Longer Necessary

As restrictions have eased, many have assumed that social distancing is no longer necessary. However, maintaining physical distance, especially in high-risk settings, still helps reduce transmission. COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets; keeping space between individuals minimizes exposure. In indoor environments with limited ventilation, distancing becomes even more critical. The reproductive number for COVID-19 remains above 1 in most US states, indicating ongoing epidemic growth.¹⁰When combined with other measures like masking and vaccination, social distancing remains a useful tool in curbing the spread of the virus.

Why Misinformation Persists, and What We Know Now

Misinformation thrives in environments of uncertainty and emotional distress. Social media amplifies unverified claims, often outpacing scientific rebuttals. Fear, distrust, and sensationalism drive engagement, allowing myths to go viral. Combating misinformation requires critical thinking; reliance on trusted sources like the CDC, WHO, and NIH; and proactive public health communication. Health care professionals play a vital role in dispelling myths and guiding patients toward evidence-based decisions.

COVID-19 remains endemic, with seasonal surges and evolving variants. Vaccines continue to offer meaningful protection, especially against severe outcomes. Long COVID is a significant public health concern, and preventive strategies must adapt to its complexity. Masks, distancing, and hygiene remain relevant, particularly in health care settings. The virus may persist, but so does our capacity to respond with science, compassion, and clarity.

The fight against COVID-19 is no longer just about managing a virus; it is about managing information. By debunking myths and sharing evidence-based insights, health care professionals can lead the charge in protecting communities. The virus may still be with us, but so is the truth, and the truth is our most powerful tool. The misinformation surrounding COVID-19 did not exist in isolation; it created fertile ground for skepticism and falsehoods across other sectors of public health. As trust in institutions eroded and conspiracy theories gained traction, misinformation began to seep into areas like childhood vaccines, chronic disease management, reproductive health, and mental health care. This cascade of misinformation underscores the need for robust public health communication, not just during pandemics, but as a permanent fixture of health care infrastructure. When one pillar of trust collapses, others risk falling with it.

References

1. COVID data tracker. CDC. Published 2025. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
2. Debunking COVID-19 myths. Mayo Clinic. Updated September 7, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-myths/art-20485720
3. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: mythbusters. World Health Organization. January 19, 2022. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
4. Link-Gelles R, Chickery S, Webber A, et al; CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Collaborators. Interim estimates of 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness among adults aged ≥ 18 years—VISION and IVY networks, September 2024-January 2025. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2025;74(6):73-82. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7406a1
5. Fact or fiction: 6 myths about COVID-19. Project HOPE. January 22, 2021. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.projecthope.org/news-stories/story/fact-or-fiction-6-myths-about-covid-19
6. Nordström P, Ballin M, Nordström A. Risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection and COVID-19 hospitalisation in individuals with natural and hybrid immunity: a retrospective, total population cohort study in Sweden. Lancet Infect Dis. 2022;22(6):781-790. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00143-8
7. Large study provides scientists with deeper insight into long COVID symptoms. National Institutes of Health. May 25, 2023. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/large-study-provides-scientists-deeper-insight-into-long-covid-symptoms
8. Powell Key A. COVID-19 myths you shouldn’t believe. WebMD. March 18, 2025. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.webmd.com/covid/ss/slideshow-covid-myths
9. Yeh RW, Valsdottir LR, Yeh MW, et al; PARACHUTE Investigators. Parachute use to prevent death and major trauma when jumping from aircraft: randomized controlled trial. BMJ. 2018;363:k5094. doi:10.1136/bmj.k5094
10. Current epidemic trends (based on R_t) for states. CDC. August 15, 2025. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/cfa-modeling-and-forecasting/rt-estimates/index.html