To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is the question. ‘Whether tis nobler in the body to take a chance, then not.’
I don’t trust Hollywood or the politicians promoting the vaccine. I want to be safe, but how can I trust a vaccine that’s not approved by the FDA except for emergency usage? One of the vaccines was temporarily suspended due to blood clots, then reinstated.
I sought advice from family, friends, community leaders, health-care workers and clergy. The verdict was mixed. I flipped a coin, heads I go for my appointment, tails I don’t. Heads it was!
All pharmaceutical drugs have a huge list of warnings enclosed with each purchase. My diabetes medication includes warnings of possible renal failure or death, and it is approved by the FDA.
“The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is an unapproved vaccine that may prevent COVID-19. There is no FDA-approved vaccine to prevent COVID-19,” reads a portion of the Pfizer information.
All prescription drugs and vaccines have side effects, whether approved or under emergency use. These cautions and side effects are written as a way for pharmaceutical companies to cover their okoles (butts) in a sue-happy society.
I spoke with my doctors. My surgeon, pain doctor and physical therapist all received the Pfizer vaccine, which must mean something. A group of nurses walked up to my hale and offered me a Moderna vaccine in place of the suspended J&J, which I graciously declined.
I finally settled for Pfizer, since I believe that is the best of all the vaccines. It is currently approved for those 12 years and older, plus most health-care workers I know have received it. Though they won’t publicly say it’s the best, it seems obvious through their actions.
I know many who have had severe reactions to the Moderna vaccine. One friend says Moderna’s second shot was like heroin withdrawal. A close relative had to call 911 in the middle of the night after the second Moderna shot, another friend went to the ER. Another friend was sick in bed for three days.
A neighbor had a rare reaction. She felt dizzy and nauseous. Her son took her to the ER. They found an embolism in her lower groin and operated immediately. The embolism had nothing to do with the vaccine. The ER visit ironically saved her life. “The Lord works in mysterious ways.”
Many on the political right believe the vaccine is a clinical trial and everyone whose been vaccinated is part of the experiment. Folks on the left believe science cannot be wrong and believe beyond a reasonable doubt in the vaccine.
A doctor friend told me something I haven’t heard from anyone else — to avoid harsh reactions to the vaccine, start taking an antihistamine a few days prior to your scheduled shots. The concept is antihistamines are allergy pills, hence they prevent allergic reactions. It worked for me. Any over-the-counter allergy medication will work. (Take at your own risk.)
Forget politics and party affiliation. Now if Joe Biden truly wants to be an uniter as he preaches, and not a divider and get more Americans vaccinated, give former President Trump credit for operation Warp Speed and getting COVID vaccines to market in a remarkable nine months.
I am a conspiracy theorist. However, when you see what’s happening in India with makeshift crematoriums on the streets due to the mortuaries not being able to keep up with the mass deaths due to the coronavirus, it’s a wake-up call, and is what changed my hesitancy to get vaccinated.
Dolly Parton recently wrote a parody song to the tune of her famous song, “Jolene,” that says it all.
“Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, because once you’re dead, then that’s a bit too late.” (youtube.com/watch?v=OjbSWebA3Ko)
Democrats, Republicans, independents, let’s all get on the same team. Do you truly believe the government, scientists, trusted doctors and Hollywood elite are behind planting chips into the population of the world to track everyone?
I hate to say it. I believe they are trying to help us!
I have read on a lighter note: “Have faith in the Pfizer vaccine. Don’t forget they make Viagra. If they can raise the dead, they can most certainly save the living!”
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James “Kimo” Rosen is a resident of Kapa‘a.
