So many people today are hesitant to get vaccinated because of information they've heard on social media, unreliable news services, casual friends or acquaintances. It's understandable. There is so much misinformation out there it's hard to separate the fact from the fiction.
This article attempts to serve as a counterpoint to all the anti-vax fear mongering out there and encourages you to read, get your information from RELIABLE sources, like medical doctors, virologists, major health providing organizations, and even the CDC & FDA - even though many anti-vaxxers have a huge distrust of the government.
So please, take some time out of your day to read through this article and consider the points being made before you completely discount getting a vaccine, wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, or getting tested for COVID.
Why get Vaccinated?
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By not getting vaccinated, you not only risk your own life & health, but of everyone around you including your family, friends, kids, coworkers or anyone else you come in close contact but especially children who can't get the vaccine yet There are also many people with immunocompromised immune systems that can't get vaccinated that have various diseases that prevent them from getting vaccinated. Some people are even allergic to rDNA vaccines and can't get them. You could have COVID and not even know it because you could be an "asymptomatic carrier" - that is a person who has COVID but has no symptoms. According to the CDC, the commonality of being an asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic carrier of COVID that could be spread to other people concluded:
"Nearly 60% of all new coronavirus cases may come from people who carry the virus but who exhibit no symptoms of Covid-19. Overall, the model predicted that 59% of coronavirus transmission would come from people without symptoms, including 35% from people who were pre-symptomatic and 24% from those who never showed symptoms at all."
Source: https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2021/01/11/asymptomatic-spread
It's understandable to be concerned about the unknown. But this vaccine was extensively tested by the FDA for over a year. Learn more about how vaccines are created and tested: https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/development-approval-process-cber/vaccine-development-101
You might argue it was rushed, but that's simply not true and has been debunked by countless medical experts, health institutions, and the government. There will be further tests over the years, and I'm sure they will come back as having no long term side effects.
How was the COVID-19 vaccine developed so quickly?
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The relatively quick development of these vaccines does not mean safety measures were skipped. There are several reasons why the COVID-19 vaccines were developed faster than other vaccines:
* The technologies used to develop the COVID-19 vaccines have been in development for years to prepare for outbreaks of infectious viruses. The manufacturing processes were ready very early in the COVID-19 pandemic.
* Countries shared genetic information when it was available about SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, which gave vaccine developers an early start at finding a vaccine.
* The testing processes for the vaccines didn’t skip any steps, but the vaccine developers conducted some stages of the process simultaneously to gather as much data as quickly as possible.
* Governments gave money to vaccine developers in advance, so the companies had resources they needed.
* Some types of COVID-19 vaccines were created using messenger RNA (mRNA), a new technology that allows a faster approach than the traditional way vaccines are made.
* Social media enabled companies to reach out to and enroll study volunteers, and plenty of people wanted to help, so there were enough research participants to test the COVID-19 vaccines.
* Because SARS-CoV-2 is so contagious and widespread, many volunteers who got the vaccines were exposed to the virus, and with so many exposures, it took a shorter time to see if the vaccines worked.
* Companies began manufacturing vaccines ahead of their authorization or approval so some supplies would be ready if authorization occurred.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/is-the-covid19-vaccine-safe (John Hopkins Medical)
*** Benefits of Vaccination Outweigh the Risks ***
Serious side effects that could cause a long-term health problem are extremely unusual following any vaccination, including COVID-19 vaccination. The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks. (The CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/safety-of-vaccines.html
There are currently literally dozens of monitoring programs checking for short term and long term risks.
How Do We Know the COVID-19 Vaccine Won’t Have Long-Term Side Effects? https://www.muhealth.org/our-stories/how-do-we-know-covid-19-vaccine-wont-have-long-term-side-effects (University of Missouri Health Care)
Their findings?
Findings of Potential Long Term Effects of the COVID-19 Vaccine
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* The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are strongly recommended as safe and effective at preventing serious illness or death from COVID-19.
From December 2020 to December 2021, about 470 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the U.S.
* Roughly 12 months of data, including data from tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials, show that the vaccines are safe and effective at preventing serious disease or death due to COVID-19.
* Additional shots and boosters are also authorized for those who meet the guidelines.
mRNA technology used in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines has been in development for over 15 years.
* Pfizer’s vaccine received full FDA approval, which means more data show how well that particular vaccine works. The FDA may fully approve the Moderna coronavirus vaccine and others in the future.
* Due to potential blood clots following administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the CDC updated its recommendations in December 2021. The CDC noted that the two mRNA vaccines, from Pfizer and Moderna, are preferred over the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which remains available for those who prefer it and for use in certain circumstances.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/is-the-covid19-vaccine-safe (John Hopkins Medical)
As of now any and all adverse effects and side effects are being monitored by the The Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, which is overseen by the FDA, CDC, WHO & Dept. of Veterans Affairs. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/industry-biologics/coronavirus-covid-19-cber-regulated-biologics So far, they're only seeing they have come to discover side effects are quite rare, happening in less than 1 in 200,000 vaccinated individuals. And these are just allergic reactions, which can be easily treated.
I've had the Moderna vaccine and can personally attest myself & everyone else I know has had it and we're all fine and I can attest myself and no one I know has had any adverse side effects.
The Unknown Consequences of Not Get Vaccinated
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By not getting vaccinated you're putting a lot of people, yourself included at risk by not getting vaccinated. Just think of all the pain and suffering you'd be causing if you wind up getting COVID and the medical bills (whether you have ensure or not) if you get COVID. Think what it will do those people who love you who wish they could have done more to help you get vaccinated and the immense guilt they'll feel if you die.
Image this hypothetical scenario: John hasn't been vaccinated because he doesn't believe he needs it. He has COVID-19 but has no symptoms and doesn't realize he has it. He visits a supermarket and passes Jane. Jane hasn't been able to get the vaccine because she is allergic to rDNA vaccines or has an immunocompromised disease that prevents her from getting it. Jane and John pass each other in the store or have a short interaction about something. John collects all his stuff, makes his purchase and leaves the store. Without even knowing it, he has passed COVID onto Jane. John will never see or hear from Jane again. Jane becomes infected and has to be hospitalized. Her friends, family, & children all watch her suffer in the hospital, be put on a ventilator but sadly she can't be saved and Jane dies. Jane's friends and family all suffer and will experience the immense pain of losing someone so close. Her children have no mother. John will never hear or know about this. He will never know the immense pain and grief he has caused to Jane and her family by his reckless disregard for his own personal safety and those of others. John goes on and lives his life never knowing he spread the disease to others and the harm he has caused.
Image:
Transmission times for an infectious dose of COVID-19 (CDC)
https://ibb.co/5v3P93p
The Number of Deaths Caused by COVID-19
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Currently, at the time of writing, in the US, currently 850,000 people have died of COVID-19. That's more Americans than died in the Spanish Flu, World War I & II combined, the Vietnam War, and our bloodiest conflict, the Civil War which left 750,000 dead. And that number continues to rise.
Source: https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus-data
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html
Still not convinced? Visit the myriad of resources debunking all bogus conspiracy theories you've heard https://GetVaccineAnswers.org
* COVID-19 Hoaxes debunked (AP): https://apnews.com/article/debunked-coronavirus-myths-survive-212dfb8acbf8c759e869f8b391724873
* COVID-19 Myths Debunked (Mayo Clinic)L https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/featured-topic/11-covid-19-myths-debunked
* COVID-19 Vaccines: Myth Versus Fact (John Hopkins Medicine): https://web.archive.org/web/20210927174029/https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines-myth-versus-fact
* COVID-19 Schemes, Scams, and Misinformation (QuackWatch) https://quackwatch.org/consumer-protection/covid-19-consumer-protection/
* COVID Mythbusters (WHO) https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
* Debunking COVID-19 vaccine myths (YaleNewHavenHealth) https://www.ynhhs.org/patient-care/covid-19/vaccine/vaccine-myths.aspx
* Common myths about Covid – debunked (The Guardian) https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/13/common-myths-about-covid-debunked
Please take the time to read through some of those, but there they are in plain English. The science has been completely proven and is ironclad. You have nothing to be concerned about by getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
You've already been vaccinated your whole life. What's different this time?
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When you were first born your parents had you immediately inoculated against these common diseases:
Hepatitis B (2nd dose)
Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Polio (IPV)
Pneumococcal (PCV)
Rotavirus (RV)
Then when you went to public school you were required to get vaccines for the following diseases:
Diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis.
Polio.
Measles/mumps/rubella.
Hepatitis A and B and.
Varicella.
After a student turns 11, they are required to be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis.
You have to get vaccines when traveling overseas to some foreign countries, such as:
diphtheria,
tetanus,
pertussis,
measles,
mumps,
rubella,
varicella,
poliomyelitis,
hepatitis B,
hepatitis A,
Haemophilus influenzae type b,
rotavirus,
meningococcus,
human papillomavirus, and
pneumococcus.
Source: https://www.medicinenet.com/do_you_need_vaccinations_before_traveling_abroad/views.htm
More than likely these vaccines saved your life & you never even realized it. You were lucky not to live through the plague, the times of cholera where there were thousands of people lying dead in the streets, have never had the horrible misery of having dysentery, or the Spanish flu (which the COVID death rate has already surpassed), small pox and especially polio, which crippled and impacted more than 35,000 people each year. But, thanks to vaccines, the USA has been polio free since 1979. You simply take it for granted you won't get these diseases when it reality it was government policies made before you were even born to keep you safe & alive so you can live your life in full and be completely safe and free from all those deadly and debilitating diseases from those common diseases that were even common until the later half of the 20th century. You don't realize how privileged you are not to have your life in fear of getting any of those ailments. We truly live in one of the most healthy and medically advanced ages in human history.
Read more about the campaign to eliminate polio from the USA (it's a fascinating story): https://www.cdc.gov/polio/what-is-polio/polio-us.html
It's okay to ask questions, but if you go around spreading unfounded conspiracy theories that were dreamed up as mis/disinformation, asking for fake COVID-19 cards, or otherwise just being an anti-vax pest on social media, you are part of the problem that is keeping only 62% of Americans vaccinated.
Let's take a look at Who’s vaccinated?
1. Donald Trump and every other living U.S. president
2. All 50 governors- both (Republican) and (Democratic)
3. Nearly 100% of US Congress
4. 96% of American physicians
5. 75-80% of the military, soon 100%
6. Who’s not vaccinated? 99.2% of all people currently dying of Covid-19.
Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/09/02/fact-check-viral-post-vaccinated-politicians-doctors-little-off/5670809001/
*** More than 99% of recent COVID deaths in US involve unvaccinated people, a 'sad and tragic' situation (USA Today): https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/07/04/more-than-99-us-covid-deaths-involve-unvaccinated-people/7856564002/
https://ibb.co/7p9Hrwm
Covid Hospitalizations by Vaccine Status Bar Graph
How do dispute those statistic and still think it's a good idea not to get vaccinated?
So I HIGHLY encourage you to go out and get the free vaccines. You have no to EXTREMELY little risk in doing so. You have a high risk if you think it's better to stay unvaccinated. If not for yourself, do it for the people around you - for your friends, for your family, for your kids, for your community and for the good of the nation. The more people vaccinated the more we can build up a herd immunity. The reason we keep seeing variants of COVID-19 come out like delta and Omicron is BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN'T GETTING VACCINATED!!!
Omicron Is Here: A Lack of COVID Vaccines Is Partly Why (Scientific America): https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/omicron-is-here-a-lack-of-covid-vaccines-is-partly-why1/
Omicron Variant Results From Inequitable Vaccine Access (Time): https://time.com/6124436/omicron-vaccine-inequity/
Vaccine inequity and hesitancy made the Omicron variant more likely, scientists say (CNN): https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/28/world/omicron-coronavirus-variant-vaccine-inequity-intl-cmd/index.html
The only way we're ever going to get out of this constant situation of having to wear masks everywhere, businesses being restricted or closed, countries closing off access to people from other countries and all the rest of the negative situation we're in is IF MORE PEOPLE GET VACCINATED! Aren't you sick of not being able to do the things we took so much for granted before like seeing peoples faces, sharing a handshake or a hug with a friend or not having to stand six feet apart from people at the grocery store? So please, do your Patriot Duty and get vaccinated. You might think it's silly and even absurd of me to call it your duty to get vaccinated, but if this article has shown you nothing, it's the irreparable harm that's being caused to the USA by not being vaccinated. From the hundreds of thousands of deaths of your fellow citizens, something akin to a 9/11 style tragedy every two weeks, to the fact that many businesses and companies are requiring it or docking peoples pay for not getting it - because you're putting everyone else in harm by not getting it. STOP listening to the lies, the misinformation and the bullshit!
GO OUT AND GET VACCINATED!
Find out where to get the Vaccine: https://www.vaccines.gov
Don't be like one of these people:
'I don't have COVID': Doctor says some COVID patients deny virus, decry vaccines from their deathbed (USA Today): https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/09/25/dr-matthew-trunsky-says-some-dying-covid-patients-deny-virus/5866695001/
"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
"The good thing about Science is that it's true, whether or not you believe in it." - Neil deGrasse Tyson
