In a world filled with COVID-19 news, one of the biggest debates is about vaccinations. Whether a person gets the vaccination or not, he or she will be getting backlash from society.
On one hand, getting the vaccination could be considered a good thing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 vaccinations are safe. The vaccinations were advanced through science, and they went through various health trials.
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the vaccinations are effective. The vaccine greatly reduces the chance of a person getting the virus. If a person still becomes ill with the coronavirus, the vaccine reduces the severity of the symptoms. With the vaccine, the people around you are also protected.
On the other hand, not getting the vaccine can be a good option as well. Harvard Health Publishing announced that the COVID-19 vaccination comes with many side effects, including pain where the injection was, drowsiness, headaches, muscle and joint aches, nausea and vomiting, and fever and chills. Many of these mirror the symptoms of COVID-19.
Harvard Health publishing also tells of the occasional result of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that presents itself in the form of breathing difficulties, a fast heartbeat, losing consciousness, and other symptoms. Anaphylaxis occurs in roughly 11 cases per million doses. The COVID-19 vaccine has also caused some unexplained deaths. Specifically, there have been 23 deaths. Currently, there are 181 million fully vaccinated people in the U.S. For comparison, the smallpox vaccine’s death rates are one death per one million vaccinations (singlecare.com).
One of the biggest drawbacks for civilians is the vaccine does not help their life go back to normal. Even with the vaccine, people are still required to wear masks in public. Furthermore, the vaccination does not guarantee absolute immunity. People worry whether the side effects and risks of the vaccine are worth the chance, especially considering there is still a possibility of getting the virus.
The bottom line is that there are pros and cons to getting the vaccination, just like there are pros and cons to not getting vaccinated. The people in society should choose to do whatever makes them feel safe and secure in their health, regardless of which option they choose. People should be free to make their own choice, without being concerned about judgment or backlash from those who do not agree with their decision.
by Jennifer Shirley
