COVID-19 vaccine hard talk
THERE IS way too much contention about COVID-19 vaccines. I know a woman whose husband lives abroad. He told her that if she takes the vaccine, he will not allow her to join him overseas. I know another whose husband told her that if she gets vaccinated, she is not to come back in the house. On the other hand, there are workplaces that have threatened employees, telling them that their jobs may be in jeopardy if they do not get vaccinated.
There are people who are straight up anti-vaxxers, who reject vaccination of any type. On the opposite end of the spectrum are people who strongly advocate for everyone to get vaccinated. In-between these categories, however, is a group of people who are not opposed to vaccination but are reluctant to take any of the available COVID-19 vaccines, for various reasons. These people exhibit what is known as ‘vaccine hesitancy’. And they belong to a very large group.
One of the most appropriate descriptions about COVID-19 is that managing the pandemic is like ‘building the plane while you are flying it’. It is true. As the pandemic continues, we learn more about the virus, how it affects us, how it spreads, which methods contain it best, and which long-term complications can occur. But as we are learning, the virus continues to mutate, throwing curveballs at us, forcing us to change or rethink strategies. It is a ‘gift that keeps giving’, and is a headache for virologists, immunologists, and epidemiologists globally.
STILL LEARNING
Similarly, with the vaccines, we are still learning about them. Yes, much of the research behind them began during the SARS pandemic of 2002-2004, as the virus that caused that outbreak is, like the virus responsible for COVID-19, a coronavirus too. However, the effects on large populations are still being studied, as the vaccines have been available for less than a year. During this time, scientists have made some compelling observations. For example, the less vaccinated a population is, the more likely it is for the virus to spread. The more the virus spreads, the more likely it is to mutate. And the more the virus mutates, the less effective the vaccines will be.
This makes a compelling case for mass vaccinations. However, people who are hesitant to be vaccinated also have rational concerns that should not be dismissed. We are still learning about the efficacy of the vaccines that are currently available, especially as new mutations occur, and new strains develop. We are also still learning about side effects and complications, while grappling with the fact that some can be severe and debilitating. When people express concerns about the long-term effects of the vaccines, we in the medical field must be honest and empathetic enough to validate these concerns, as we really do not know the long-term effects. After all, how can we if the vaccines have been around for such a short duration?
GENUINE TRUST ISSUES
And people have genuine trust issues, both at the international and local levels. The censorship of people who express concerns about the vaccines, including some of the very scientists who helped to develop them, is of great concern. People who openly support the use of certain drugs, such as ivermectin, are also being censored. This arouses suspicion even in persons who support vaccination and are confident regarding its efficacy. On a local level, our disorganised vaccine distribution and administration has been a turn-off for many.
As for myself, I am fully vaccinated. I weighed the risks of being vaccinated against the potential benefits and decided that it would be in my best interest to take the vaccine. Some people are perplexed that I advocate for the availability of ivermectin but am vaccinated. But I see no conflict. This is not an either/or situation. In my opinion, we are fighting an all-out war against COVID-19, and in a war, it would be wise to utilise all the weapons at your disposal to fight your enemy. So, I appreciate the value of vaccines, as well as medications and following protocols, such as wearing masks, washing hands properly and regularly, and avoiding gathering in large crowds, especially indoors.
The principle of being vaccinated against COVID-19 is a rational one, but mass vaccination alone will not make the virus magically disappear. We need to have balanced and honest conversations about the vaccines. The fact that vaccines do confer some protection, and that objective research supports this, may annoy those who oppose them. And the fact that serious complications, including death, have occurred after administration of vaccines, may be something that those who push vaccination may not want to acknowledge. But if we are to do what is in the best interest of humanity, we must be honest with our conversations as we try to come out of this alive.