Is the New Covid-19 Vaccine Really the Answer?
How ready are people to receive this the new vaccine?
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine finally cleared all the necessary hurdles to become available for distribution and administration. Big Pharma and healthcare professionals believe this vaccine will help level the playing field in the battle against this dreaded enemy.
The possibility of mild side effects for many and the more severe anaphylactic reaction experienced by a few with a strong history of allergies does exist. However, officials still believe the benefits of putting the brakes on the Pandemic by administering the vaccine far outweighs the potential risks.
What does Dr. Fauci fear?
According to a recent poll, only about two-thirds of Americans will get the vaccine even if it’s free and easily available. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said, “If this turns out to be true, we would not be able to achieve herd immunity.
They may not like a government person in a suit like me telling them, even though I will tell them. They really need to see people who they can relate to and people in the larger community like sports figures, community heroes — people who they look up to.”
What is Herd Immunity?
A Mayo Clinic Update says, “Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.
There are only two paths to herd immunity for COVID-19 — vaccines and infection.”
Because this disease is so unpredictable and deadly, simply allowing people to become infected is just too risky. So far, the U.S. has 16,113,148 reported cases of COVID-19 and 298,266 have died.
As a result, vaccinating our citizens is the only realistic way to achieve herd immunity. Ideally, vaccines create immunity without causing illness or resulting complications, but the current vaccine does come with some side effects.
Herd immunity protects those who cannot receive the vaccine, such as newborns or those who have compromised immune systems. Reaching herd immunity through vaccines have successfully brought dreaded diseases like smallpox, polio, diphtheria, rubella and others under control.
Why will some decide against vaccination?
The Mayo Clinic Update list five reasons people may decide not to receive the vaccine:
1. Protection from some vaccines can become less effective over time and require further vaccination.
2. Sometimes people refuse to get all of the shots needed to protect them from the disease.
3. Some people may object to vaccines because of religious objections.
4. Some people may fear the possible risks or side effects.
5. Some may simply be skeptical about the vaccine’s benefits.
Unfortunately, when the percentage of those vaccinated falls below what’s needed for herd immunity the disease begins to spread quickly once again. That is why the disease seems to be spreading out of control today.
How do people I know feel about taking the vaccine?
To answer this question, I polled my readers and asked two simple questions:
1. Will you take the new Covid-19 vaccine when it is available to you?
2. Why or why not?
My readers consist of men and women who range in ages from about 30–75. This group includes people who are single, married and divorced. Some are relatively healthy while others have high health risks.
How did my readers respond?
There was about an equal number of men (47%) and women (53%) who responded to the questions. With the exception of three men in their thirties, a couple of women in their forties and one woman in her early nineties, the group was comprised primarily of men and women in their 60s and 70s.
Overall, 72% of men and 65% of women said they would be willing to receive the vaccine as soon as it becomes available. The Mayo Clinic Update estimates that 70% or over 200 million Americans will have to either become infected and recover or receive the vaccine to reach herd immunity.
It seems like my readers are fairly close to reaching the desired level of vaccinations.
My readers had some very interesting, informative and even comical responses to share.
Bill, a retired educator, said, “I can’t wait to take it! I may have to cut in line.”
Kent, a retired farmer, added, “Absolutely! I’m not selfish, but put me first in line! This thing is real and I need all the protective measures for this old guy.”
Gary’s response was very typical of many who responded. “I will take it. At my age and with underlying conditions, I’m in a higher risk category. I have friends and family members who have gotten the virus. I want to help protect others as well as myself.” Many others agreed with the retired pastor and felt taking the vaccine was their social responsibility to help protect not only their loved ones but also others in their community.
Sharon, a retired nurse, added, “I don’t necessarily trust the FDA, but I have done lots of research and listened to lots of physicians’ opinions on this vaccine. I have decided that I will take the vaccine. Herd immunity will never be achieved without the vaccine. “
Deanna offered her view as an elementary teacher serving on the front line. “As a teacher, I am exposed to it on a daily basis. While children aren’t the ones who get super sick from it, they can easily spread it. I’m always quick to get my flu shot for the same reason! I can’t wait until the ‘teacher wave’ comes for us to be able to get our vaccines. I believe we will be in the second wave.”
A number of respondents said they would depend on the advice of their doctor. “I will take it as long as my doctor recommends that I do,” Kari added, while another person said, “I am high risk, but have adverse reactions to even the flu shot. My doctor does not want me to take it.” Certainly, it’s not a bad idea for everyone to seek the advice of their own physician before being vaccinated.
Some negative reactions were as simple as “Hell no!”
“Let them experiment on someone else.”
“I don’t like needles!”
However, some of the responses created some interesting dialogue among my readers.
Zack, a higher ed consultant, was very skeptical about the newly released vaccine. “Just a few months ago epidemiologists were saying a person can get Covid again after already having contracted it. So, either Covid has found a way to sabotage the immune system and injecting Covid is a really bad idea, the vaccine won’t work, or the experts were wrong and a vaccine isn’t necessary. I’m just not confident the experts really understand Covid. We can’t even get the testing consistent to know whether or not someone has Covid.”
Sharyle, a retired middle school teacher, responded directly to Zack’s comments. “I have read the information regarding the vaccine and it’s main component, mRNA, is not new and has been used in cancer studies. There are minimal side effects. I know many people who have died or have long-term problems linked to this virus. I am ready to travel, visit family, and dine out with friends!”
Kent provided his perspective about the quick release of the new vaccine. “Those who feel that it hasn’t been tested enough may not understand the release of meds. Yes, it’s been a relatively short time, compared to the normal path of meds released, but this time is different. Many of the large pharmaceutical companies collectively joined to get this out. This vaccine was pushed to the very front of all releases, with cooperation from all (the drug companies) and the FDA. Most of the delays in releasing a med is due to redundancy and paperwork required by the FDA.”
Others have decided to take a wait and see attitude.
“I’m 69 and in excellent health and no co-morbidities, Jon, a retired actuary, explained. “I want to see the results of the 1st generation during 2021 and continue to study mRNA and it’s effect on cell structure.”
Roberta had a similar view, but was also concerned about the possible side effects. “I want see what side effects there are and how effective it is.”
“Most of the medicines (injections or otherwise) we take, have a bevy of side effects,” Michael said. “And just like the flu vaccinations, sometimes they are effective and sometimes they are not. If the virus has been mutating as it works its way through the populous, then it is likely the C-19 vaccination will have the effectiveness of flu vaccines.”
Julie, a pharmacy tehnician, added, “No vaccine is perfect and it still seems there is a lot about Covid we don’t know, but the disease is deadly for some people.”
Why was dialogue like this important?
I believe Dr. Fauci’s statement above is on point. With all of the conflicting newscasts and written reports surrounding the recent election process, people are skeptical and uncertain whom to believe. As Zack pointed out earlier, it seems like the whole Covid situation has been a moving target since day 1.
People will not decide to take the newly released vaccine because some experts on TV tell them to do so. Rather they will rely on the advice of their own doctors and the testimonies of their neighbors and relatives who decide to take the vaccine. If those receiving vaccinations report few or only minor symptoms and the number of infections and hospitalizations begin to decline, more people will be willing to jump on the bandwagon.
Maybe the second time around the doubters or undecided will decide to take the shot. It’s no secret. We must all work together to achieve “Herd Immunity” so we can return to the more normal lifestyle Sharyle described earlier.
Until then, please continue to mask up, socially distance, and practice good hand hygiene.
