The coronavirus pandemic has not subsided, leading to tensions in society and various speculations about the disease and vaccination. This is why Rinat Akhmetov Foundation continues hosting live Ask A Doctor series. The broadcasts are streamed under Fighting COVID-19 In Ukraine project, which became part of Rinat Akhmetov – Saving Lives program.
Ask A Doctor is a weekly online session with Ukraine’s leading medical experts. The next guest of the project was Yuriy Zhigarev, a Medical Doctor specializing in infectious diseases.
During the live streams, experts invited by Rinat Akhmetov Foundation dispel numerous myths and fakes about vaccination. When asked whether mRNA vaccines indeed change human DNA, the infectious disease doctor said:
“The mRNA vaccines do not change DNA, there is a completely different mechanism here. Vaccines, in turn, cause the cell to synthesize viral proteins. DNA is not at all involved in this process.”
Yuriy Zhigarev also gave some key arguments and facts that prove the benefits of vaccination against COVID-19.
“Doctors always compare two main categories – risks and benefits. Risk is always there, and any medical intervention involves risks. However, the benefits are also there. In this case, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks,” said the speaker.
The doctor also answered questions about why some people have mild coronavirus symptoms, while others get severe effects:
“All people are different. Some are 150 cm tall, while others are as tall as 205 cm. Some can easily run marathon distances, while others can barely move. And such analogies are many. People can respond in different ways to different situations, and coronavirus is not an exception.”
Yuriy Zhigarev also explained why outbreaks of COVID-19 also occur in countries with a high level of vaccination.
“Vaccines do not guarantee one hundred percent protection against infection. It is important to understand that the vaccination is not carried out so that people do not get sick, but so that they do not get seriously ill and do not get to the intensive care. A recent study by Ukrainian scientists shows that vaccination protects against severe coronavirus in 80-90% of cases. We should use this mechanism to protect both patients and our doctors,” concluded the infectious disease doctor.
During the whole time of broadcasting Ask A Doctor series on the digital platforms of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, the content of the project was viewed 20 million times. The speakers of online sessions include well-known experts like cardiac surgeon Boris Todurov; cardiologist, a Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Member of the European Society of Cardiology Kateryna Amosova; psychiatrist, a Doctor of Medicine and professor Oleh Chaban; president of the Association of Anaesthesiologists of Ukraine Serhiy Dubrov, and others.
Videos of broadcasts with experienced practitioners are available at Rinat Akhmetov Foundation’s Facebook page, and on YouTube.