I got the vaccine, but in retrospect, I should have waited. I should have gotten antibody tests first.
A few things: my odds of dying from COVID in a given year are about the same as me dying in a car crash— and that is given the admittedly liberal COVID death stats.
My very strong reaction to the first dose (the only one I took, in the end) suggests that I already had COVID and didn’t know it. It probably makes sense to test for antibodies before taking the vaccine. If you’re in a low risk category and have antibodies, I’d pass on the vaccine.
The vaccine was rushed by all accounts, and I have personally participated in drugs that are now banned due to side effects not detected during more rigorous trials. It may take a long time before we know of serious side effects from the vaccines. On the other hand, it will take a long time before we can be confident the vaccines have no serious side effects (whose manifestations are delayed). No one knows at this point because due process was tossed (for good reasons).
I think the rational thing to do is to look at what statistical group you are in. If you are high risk, get the vaccine. If not, wait.
All of that to say, folks who are hesitating are not illogical antivaxers. I’ve got good friends with PHDs in microbiology and bioinformatics who are informed, intelligent, and divided on the topic. It’s plainly not black and white.
I mean I get it that there is some hesitation. I probably shouldn't have used anti-vaxer as that would indicate that every person who is against getting a COVID vaccine is against vaccines in general which is not true.
But that is beyond the point. My point is, that you will get exposed to COVID either way, through vaccine or naturally.
Looking at the numbers I'd rather take my chances with the vaccine. It sure seems a lot less risky.
Say a new variant emerges that has a 90% mortality rate. Would you still wait to get the vaccine because it was "rushed" and not fully tested? Would you rely on antibodies from the current variants?
In that situation I would do whatever it took to get the vaccine. And I would feel extremely silly and irresponsible for doubting the science.
A few things: my odds of dying from COVID in a given year are about the same as me dying in a car crash— and that is given the admittedly liberal COVID death stats.
My very strong reaction to the first dose (the only one I took, in the end) suggests that I already had COVID and didn’t know it. It probably makes sense to test for antibodies before taking the vaccine. If you’re in a low risk category and have antibodies, I’d pass on the vaccine.
The vaccine was rushed by all accounts, and I have personally participated in drugs that are now banned due to side effects not detected during more rigorous trials. It may take a long time before we know of serious side effects from the vaccines. On the other hand, it will take a long time before we can be confident the vaccines have no serious side effects (whose manifestations are delayed). No one knows at this point because due process was tossed (for good reasons).
I think the rational thing to do is to look at what statistical group you are in. If you are high risk, get the vaccine. If not, wait.
All of that to say, folks who are hesitating are not illogical antivaxers. I’ve got good friends with PHDs in microbiology and bioinformatics who are informed, intelligent, and divided on the topic. It’s plainly not black and white.