What you need to know
- DNA fragments are present in all vaccines, but they cannot change our bodies’ DNA.
- Lipid (fat) nanoparticles in mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe and necessary. Without them, COVID-19 vaccines would not exist.
- There is strong evidence that COVID-19 vaccines do not cause cancer.
Last week, Florida’s surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, called for a halt on the use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in an official state bulletin. This comes after Ladapo sent a letter to the FDA falsely claiming that DNA fragments in mRNA COVID-19 vaccines can change our bodies’ DNA. Ladapo also raised unfounded concerns about the presence of lipid nanoparticles and SV40 sequences.
Despite persisting false and misleading narratives from Ladapo and others, the CDC, FDA, and other leading experts continue to affirm that mRNA COVID-19 vaccine ingredients are safe.
The spread of inaccurate claims about COVID-19 vaccines comes at a critical moment: The U.S. is in the midst of a post-holiday COVID-19 surge caused by a new dominant variant, JN.1. Although rates of hospitalization and death are lower than the previous year, wastewater samples indicate that infections could be matching last winter’s peak.
Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines is critical in order to stay protected during this surge.
Below, we’ve debunked myths about COVID-19 vaccine ingredients.
DNA fragments are present in all vaccines, but they cannot change our bodies’ DNA
Scientists use cells to produce vaccines, and those cells contain DNA. When our bodies are exposed to DNA fragments in vaccines, our bodies destroy them.
It is biologically impossible for DNA fragments in vaccines to change our own DNA because they lack the mechanism required to enter the cell nuclei, where our DNA lives.
Regulators around the world agree that the level of DNA fragments in COVID-19 vaccines is well below the acceptable limit.
Lipid nanoparticles in mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe
mRNA is fragile, so it needs to be surrounded by fat bubbles called lipid nanoparticles in order to travel throughout the body and teach our cells how to protect against COVID-19.
Lipid-based drug delivery systems have been studied for more than 40 years and have been determined to be safe. Without them, COVID-19 vaccines would not exist.
Lipid nanoparticles in COVID-19 vaccine are cleared from the body within days.
There is strong evidence that COVID-19 vaccines do not cause cancer
Some vaccine opponents falsely claim that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines contain SV40, a virus that has been suspected of causing cancer.
The SV40 virus is not present in COVID-19 vaccines, but a piece of SV40’s DNA sequence was used as starting material to develop COVID-19 vaccines. This sequence has been used to develop other vaccines, such as the flu vaccine, which has been safely administered for decades.
The CDC continues to recommend the updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. Visit Vaccines.gov to find an appointment near you.
For more information, talk to your health care provider.
This article is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the CDC Foundation totaling $69,392,486 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government. In addition, the CDC Foundation does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of information or content contained in this article. Moreover, the CDC Foundation expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within this article. This article are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying the CDC Foundation’s endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the information, products, or services found therein.