Why Aren’t People Getting Vaccinated?
Shweta Varandani
It is important to lead by example, especially when others don’t want to. While COVID-19 will be a conversation topic for years to come, hearing about how it’s hurting our communities and people all around the world is a choice. We can avoid this by being cautious, wearing our face masks, and getting vaccinated. The virus has stirred up a lot of discussions regarding the necessity, safety, and credibility of the vaccine. Some have positive feelings about it and some negative. However, those conversations are more opinionated rather than fact-based. Since December 11th of 2020, the COVID-19 vaccine has been available to the public, ages 16 years or older. For almost a whole year, the vaccine has been available to most people in developed nations, yet only 185 million people are fully vaccinated as of today. There are close to 8 billion people living on this earth. Why aren’t people getting vaccinated?
Well for starters, the vaccine is actually still not available in many nations. Although 4 billion vaccine doses have been distributed across the world, only 1.1% of people living in low-income countries have received even one dose of a vaccine. The vaccine doses are aplenty, but a majority of those doses have already been reserved for higher-income and upper-middle-income countries. Despite the fact that high-income countries make up 15 percent of the world population, [they’ve spoken for] 40 percent of the [expected] global vaccine supply,” By this rate, lower-income countries will not be at the same vaccination rate as higher-income countries and will not be able to meet the global goal of having their population be 40 percent vaccinated by the end of 2021. Low-income and less privileged communities are also not able to obtain access to the vaccine due to these economic drawbacks. They simply cannot afford to be administered these vaccines or have enough for the whole population. Yet, there are so many doses going to waste in higher-income communities. So what about the rest of the unvaccinated? Why aren’t people getting vaccinated?
Many people are afraid of the effects of the vaccine because they believe that it was presented to the public too quickly, but the Pfizer vaccine actually took close to a year to get FDA approved. As of August 23rd, 2021, the FDA approved the licensure of COMIRNATY (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA), made by Pfizer for BioNTech. Others believe they may be allergic to the vaccine, and obviously don’t want to be injected with something that may give them a bad reaction. However, the side effects reported can arguably be put on a lower pedestal when compared to people who are unvaccinated and have been hospitalized or have passed away due to the more dangerous effects of COVID-19. Some also bring up the argument of “my body my choice.” This phrase was and still is used during the pro-choice movement for women and their rights to safe abortion. Many people with conservative beliefs are highly against this movement but now use the same debate now that it is applicable to them.
So many countries are slowly lifting lockdown restrictions such as New Zealand, Spain, Iran, Italy, Denmark, Israel, and Germany. But restrictions are still prevalent in many nations around the world and in so many states here in the US. So that brings us to the question, again. Why aren’t people getting vaccinated?
It’s unclear. The stigma around this vaccine has drawn many away, but whatever the reason for others not getting the vaccine, it’s important that you get vaccinated. We clearly have to lead by example and this is why it is encouraged to not only get vaccinated yourself, but educate yourself on the topic and advocate for others to get vaccinated as well. Gen-Z is a strong community. We’ve led protests and started uncomfortable conversations about topics we care about. We can do this too. Get vaccinated.
