*Disclaimer: this article is only the opinion of the author and in no way is meant to provide health or medical advisement to its readers.
What I have to say, may be controversial, but I feel that all is entitled to their own opinions. These are my thoughts on the Covid-19 vaccination and how I have encountered those who do not want to get one.
Everyone probably has this person in their life, someone who has good reason not to get one of the many vaccines that are available in their countries. Moderna, Pfizer and up to a few days ago, the Johnson & Johnson vaccines were available in the U.S. where I live.
First I’ll let you know that I am vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine. Was I scared? Yes. Was I hesitant? Indeed. But the more articles I read and the more I mulled over it, I felt that the reward outweighed the risk in this instance. I do feel that all things involving Covid-19 are a huge experiment, one that we are all involved in and that is not just taking place in a hermetically-sealed laboratory with an unknown location. The study of how this virus operates is ongoing, causing news fatigue around the whole subject. For the first initial months of 2020, I was glued to the news and statistics of infection daily. As we are seeing, more information is being learned and the flow of information is often not distributed evenly. Media outlets may send certain information in certain areas. Due to this, I take caution to always go to the most reliable sources since media outlets are not medical and science research organizations. In my country, we have the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and for the world at large, the World Health Organization. Both have worked tirelessly around the clock to stay up to date on the virus and what can be done. I joked with my family the other day, “Dr. Fauci really needs a vacation.”
Why was I scared and hesitant of the vaccine initially? Because I had no idea what kind of effect it would take on my body, would I have a reaction, would I get Covid? I think I had all the same rational questions of most others when it comes to getting a brand new vaccine with little more than a few clinical trials that has been fast-tracked in a matter of a few months. Although I had signed no paperwork, I felt I would be an additional silent participant in an on-going trial vaccine. It was very hard to contemplate. All the various factors at play and was I healthy enough for it.
On the other hand, my parents, who are elderly, were excited for the vaccine. They knew that it would be the necessary fix for the world’s situation. They eagerly waited for their turn and with no hesitation signed up at the first opportunity. On the day of their first vaccine (Moderna), they even showed up two hours early and were told not to show up so early.
A good friend of mine as well, was eagerly awaiting for the vaccine to become available in our area and kept up to the hour of when, how and all the details he was able to glean about getting it. Even though I feigned interest, he would send me updates and even signed me up on a vaccine list without me knowing!
Since all my loved ones seem all in, I became persuaded to see all the positives to getting the vaccine. I could travel, grocery shop, get gas for my car and go to the post office with less fear of contracting the virus and face hospitalization or death. Most importantly for me, I looked forward to finally being in the company of all those I have not had the opportunity to visit with in over a year. My social life became decimated and I am not lost on that point.
As the opportunity arrived for me to sign up, I did so and made myself not think more of it. I pushed myself to see all the positives which I noted in the above paragraph. The most important part of the vaccine that I soon realized after was to know that being vaccinated does not protect me from ever having the virus as some might believe. I was naive to think this as well - that it was a passport to non-masking and running freely as B.C. (before Covid). Hence it was not, it would only serve as an additional invisible layer of protection to prevent hospitalization and face dying. I still mask up, wash hands and keep my distance from others even though after receiving my second vaccination. There will be no socializing in large crowds or feeling more free until the evidence and science appears to let me do so. There is no silver bullet in the face of this virus, yet.
The first vaccine did not have much effect on me. I was feeling lazy and a bit lethargic for a day or so. But I did really feel the second vaccine. The day after, my body just felt like it had been hit with a ton of bricks and heavy. I just wanted to lie in bed. I also did feel a headache during this time. I wanted to reach for a pain reliever, but it is suggested not to take any pain relievers as it might interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccine. So I gritted my teeth and laid there, reminding myself that it was not a lot to go through for what it would give me. Thankfully, this unpleasant state lasted me one day. The day after, I was back to normal.
I have not been very open about my vaccinated status and do not expect others to be with me about their status. But, for the ones I consider close and care about, we have checked in and talked about it at length.
There are two people close to me that have yet to have theirs, although they have the full go ahead to receive one. One being a family member. I love her with all my heart and want to see her have that protection, but she has told me that she is not sure she is healthy enough to get one. On top of that, she is very adverse to discussing it further. It says to me that yes, she fears but does not want to discuss further.
Another friend told me he’s not sure about it, since having undergone an intensive health treatment that involved medication that depleted much of his energy. He has finished the treatment successfully but is fearful of how the vaccine would interact with the results of his prior health condition and age is also a factor for him. I did not push him, but I did simply tell him, “As a friend, I would really like you to get your vaccine.”
