This is the second of a series of discussions in Spanish about the new COVID-19 vaccines. The primary purpose of these lessons is to practice useful Spanish vocabulary and phrases when discussing vaccination against Covid-19. Much of the discussion refers to the mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna and the information regarding all the Covid-19 vaccines may change as we learn more. Therefore, when speaking with patients, you should always use information provided by current trusted medical sources.
In this lesson, Elizabeth Cortéz, my Spanish teacher at the San Pedro Spanish School in Guatemala, discusses the risk of severe adverse effects from vaccinations and the fact that we have seen rare severe allergic reactions to the Covid vaccine.
In upcoming lessons, we will discuss common side effects, how the vaccine will not alter your DNA, protection against new strains, administration and more. I know that it is important that we are able to communicate clearly with the Spanish-speaking population as we roll out these vaccines. Therefore, I will try to publish these as quickly as possible. If there is something specific about the vaccines that you want us to cover in Spanish, leave a comment at the bottom of this post.
More Lessons on Spanish for COVID-19
LEVEL - UPPER INTERMEDIATE
¿Es realmente segura?
¿Es la vacuna realmente segura?
Para ser sincera, no hay ninguna vacuna que sea 100% segura. Siempre habrá algunos casos raros de efectos secundarios graves, pero los efectos adversos graves de una vacuna son extremadamente raros.
Efectos adversos graves
2:35Para ser sincera, no hay ninguna vacuna que sea 100% segura.
para ser sincero/a
to be honest
(el) cien por ciento
100 percent
seguro/a
safe
Para ser sincera, no hay ninguna vacuna que sea cien por ciento segura.
To be honest, there is no vaccine that is 100% safe.
- We use the subjunctive to describe something that does not exist. No hay ninguna vacuna que > subjuntivo (sea). Spanish grammar members, learn more: Subj08 Nonexistent Nouns
Siempre habrá algunos casos raros
3:53Siempre habrá algunos casos raros de efectos secundarios graves, pero los efectos adversos graves de una vacuna son extremadamente raros.
(los) casos raros
rare cases
(los) efectos secundarios
side effects
grave
severe
Siempre habrá algunos casos raros de efectos secundarios graves.
There will always be some rare cases of serious side effects.
- We always use the third person singular form of the verb HABER to say, “there is” or “there are.” Therefore, although we are referring to algunos casos here, we use the singular form of the verb: “habrá.”
Son extremadamente raros
5:31Pero los efectos adversos graves de una vacuna son extremadamente raros.
(los) efectos adversos
adverse effects
extremadamente
extremely
Pero los efectos adversos graves de una vacuna son extremadamente raros.
But serious adverse effects from a vaccine are extremely rare.
uno en un millón
one in a million
OJO: This refers to the approximate rate of severe adverse effects from most vaccines. Since recording this, we have more data on the Covid vaccines. We have seen severe allergic reactions to the Pfizer vaccine at a rate of 11.1 per one million.)
Reacciones alérgicas severas
6:35Hemos visto algunos casos raros de reacciones alérgicas severas con esta vacuna, pero son bien raras y tratables. Además, el riesgo de vacunarse es minúsculo en comparación al riesgo de contagiarse del Covid y sufrir complicaciones. Y finalmente, cuando uno se vacuna, también está protegiendo a los que le rodean.
Hemos visto algunos casos raros de reacciones alérgicas severas con esta vacuna
(la) reacción alérgica
allergic reaction
severo/a, grave
severe
Hemos visto algunos casos raros de reacciones alérgicas severas con esta vacuna,
We have seen some rare cases of severe allergic reactions with this vaccine,
Son bien raros y tratables
7:46Pero son bien raras y tratables.
tratable
treatable
bien raro/a
very rare
Pero son bien raras y tratables.
But they are very rare and treatable.
El riesgo es minúsculo
8:18Además, el riesgo de vacunarse es minúsculo en comparación al riesgo de contagiarse del Covid y sufrir complicaciones.
Además
furthermore, additionally
el riesgo
risk
vacunarse
to get vaccinated
minúsculo
tiny, miniscule
en comparación a/con
in comparison to, compared to
Contagiar
9:24contagiarse de
to become infected with
Me contagié de Covid en la fiesta.
I caught Covid at the party.
Mi hermano me contagió Covid.
My brother gave me Covid.
- Practice more examples using the verb contagiar.
(las) complicaciones
complications
Además, el riesgo de vacunarse es minúsculo en comparación al riesgo de contagiarse del Covid y sufrir complicaciones.
Furthermore, the risk of getting vaccinated is miniscule compared to the risk of getting Covid and suffering complications.
Proteger a los que le rodean
11:04Y finalmente, cuando uno se vacuna, también está protegiendo a los que le rodean.
finalmente
finally
proteger
to protect
rodear
to surround
los que te/le rodean
those around you
Y finalmente, cuando uno se vacuna, también está protegiendo a los que le rodean.
Y finalmente, cuando uno se vacuna, también está protegiendo a los que le rodean.
- Cuando uno se vacuna = When one gets vaccinated = When you get vaccinated (formal)
References
- CDC: Vacunas contra el Covid-19
- Salud Lupa: Cinco respuestas a algunos temores sobre las nuevas vacunas
- Instagram: 8 Frequently asked questions about vaccines: Answered
The following is a great series of YouTube videos by drvellermd.com explaining the pathophysiology and trial results of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. They have videos covering a lot more on Covid, including the other vaccines.
- VACUNA MODERNA COVID19 (ARNm)
- COVID-19 | VACUNA PFIZER RESULTADOS, SEGURIDAD Y RESUMEN
- COVID-19 | VACUNA Pfizer COMPUESTOS y EFECTOS ADVERSOS
- COVID 19 | VACUNA MODERNA FASE 3 | EFECTOS ADVERSOS
- COVID 19 VACUNAS ARN | EFECTOS ADVERSOS | REACCIONES ALERGICAS
Related Lessons
- FL04 Flu Q and A – Flu Vaccine – Who, Why, and When
- FL05 Flu Q and A – Flu Vaccine – How It Works and Side Effects
- Spanish for COVID-19
Special thanks to Elizabeth Cortéz, my Spanish teacher at the San Pedro Spanish School in Guatemala who provided most of the Spanish for this lesson.
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