It’s a tricky problem for Facebook because that *seems*, by title, that it should be a useful group. There should be nothing wrong with people sharing testimony about side effects. But the issue with vaccines isn’t can it make you feel like crap for a day or two. It’s, “will it keep me alive if I get infected?” That’s the case for many vaccines, including flu vaccines. Much of the disinformation comes from what the goals of vaccines are.

I saw an article yesterday — and I’m sorry that I don’t remember where, that pointed to women having a pattern of worse side effects than men.

I do remember that it was a mainstream news article and not at all anti-vaxxer. It’s useful information for people to have so they know what to expect. As long as it’s strongly accompanied by this fact:

Vaccines are almost 100% effective in preventing DEATH by covid-19. Take a vaccine and stay alive if you get infected by the coronavirus. It seems like mainstream media should include a brief paragraph in bold at the end of every article pointing this out.

Facebook could also include a statement like this pinned to every covid-related group.

At my age, I anticipate feeling some side effects from the vaccine. It won’t be any worse than a bad hangover. I’m getting mine, hangover or not.

The goal of vaccines is to keep you alive if you get infected. Preventing the actual infection is just an added bonus for the large majority of recipients, but it is not guaranteed.

Death prevention very nearly is guaranteed. Take your vaccine, stay alive. Even if you believe a vaccine has some kind of poison, poisons break down. Death is permanent.