That is the question
I’m like a pendulum, going back and forth, considering my options. I’ve never been an ‘anti-vaxxer’ though as a curious human, I’ve questioned the plight, and there’s valid fears there (sometimes), though not always. But here we are, in 2021, and we’re being forced into a situation in which the Covid vaccine is here and we’re all rushing forward with our arms out, saying, “Gimme! Gimme!” with gusto.
But… here I am, justifiably asking, to vaccinate or not to vaccinate?
Yesterday, I was back on the right side, where I’ve been for weeks, happy to patiently wait for my turn to get the vaccine, and to finally (hopefully!) get out of this fucking, never-ending, lockdown which has been going on since 1992.
But then I received a phone call from a scientist, who formerly worked for the United Nations, and he threw a spanner in the works. “Are you sure these vaccines are safe?” He said, after our conversation about other, unrelated matters, had concluded.
“Yes, of course they are! They’ve been certified by far too many independent scientists around the world, some of whom I trust and respect,” I assured him, hoping to end the conversation and perhaps provide him with a much-needed point on the ‘pro’ side.
“Are you sure about that?” He said, “I also see a lot of scientists complaining that there hasn’t been enough testing. We haven’t seen much peer-review, in fact, we don’t know the short, mid or long-term effects of these vaccines. How do we know we aren’t priming people for the VoC’s (Variants of Concern)? Are we absolutely certain we aren’t introducing vulnerabilities into our DNA that will make us more susceptible to further strains? Also, how do we know we aren’t making people sterile? It isn’t like we’ve had years to study the after-effects of these vaccination programs, is it?” He asked me.
And just like that pendulum, I was back on the other side. Or maybe just confused, as I have been more progressively these recent years with nearly everything I once trusted so blindly.
I’ve gone back and forth on this opinion in the past year so many times, that if I had been a pendulum, a drummer could use my uncertainty as a reliable beat.
I’m still on the pro side (I think) but perhaps not rushing forward, more like, shuffling nervously.
I really want to know if I’m being stupid to even question these vaccines? What are your thoughts? To vaccinate or not to vaccinate?
Fox
I know what you mean! Eugh! Yes..no, i don’t no!
Hi. Just took my first vaccine dose a couple of days back! I really don’t know, but I just took it!
Vivek
Hey Vivek! So, were you also a bit confused like I am? Also, did it hurt?
HI Fox. No, it did not hurt at all. In fact didn’t feel a thing!
I hope you and all your readers are able to get vaccinated. Covid 19 and it’s variants will only get worse if it continues to spread. We may not currently know what the percent of fully vaccinated population is to keep this covid virus at bay, but it certainly is higher than 37% in the US or 4.6% worldwide (as of may 15). The risks are much higher for non-participants to get a bad version of covid and long term problems after having recovered from covid.
Thanks, I received my first one. The UK is at about 60% vaccinated, but that is mostly over 38’s. The problem we face here is a race against time, as India/Brazil are out of control and new variants threaten our existing vaccines’ efficacy.