COVID-19 Vaccine: Can you talk about why you don't want it?

I've just seen a poll that suggests that fully 41% of Republicans plan to refuse to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Now, the science suggests that this will surely make Covid-19 (and increasingly more variants) an ongoing problem for years to come, simply because the ability to reach "herd immunity" will be put at risk.

I have no doubt that many who don't want the vaccine have what they feel are very good reasons for their hesitancy, and perhaps if those reasons could be successfully answered (answered in a way that people can actually buy into), more people might opt to go for it. And that could, very likely, be of benefit to the entire nation.

So, a question for all of you who don't want to be vaccinated: Can you provide one or two reasons, in your own words why not? I considered adding a bunch of options to the poll, but then I'd be leading you by the nose.

So, if you answer the poll with a simple choice, getting it or not, and then add a short comment saying why or why not -- in your own words?

And please, in this thread, don't try to ridicule the reasons given by other members -- let's just try to learn something, here.

I have had my first dose of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine. I took that one because it was the one available to me earliest, and I am looking forward to my second dose.

I chose to be vaccinated because the risk of Covid-19 harming me (at 73) is thousands of times larger than the risk of the vaccine doing me any harm, and also because I am desperate to have my world open up again so that I can go out, have a beer and wings, and socialize with friends.

I voted yes, although I've already been vaccinated.

Evangelicalhumanist said:

So, a question for all of you who don't want to be vaccinated: Can you provide one or two reasons, in your own words why not?

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How are they able to answer yes if they don't plan on getting it?

Evangelicalhumanist said:

I've just seen a poll that suggests that fully 41% of Republicans plan to refuse to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Now, the science suggests that this will surely make Covid-19 (and increasingly more variants) an ongoing problem for years to come, simply because the ability to reach "herd immunity" will be put at risk.

I have no doubt that many who don't want the vaccine have what they feel are very good reasons for their hesitancy, and perhaps if those reasons could be successfully answered (answered in a way that people can actually buy into), more people might opt to go for it. And that could, very likely, be of benefit to the entire nation.

So, a question for all of you who don't want to be vaccinated: Can you provide one or two reasons, in your own words why not? I considered adding a bunch of options to the poll, but then I'd be leading you by the nose.

So, if you answer the poll with a simple choice, getting it or not, and then add a short comment saying why or why not -- in your own words?

And please, in this thread, don't try to ridicule the reasons given by other members -- let's just try to learn something, here.

Click to expand...

I'm 100% pro-vaccine and would, theoretically, like to get it. Unfortunately it doesn't look like I will any time soon though. I have a very severe clinical phobia to medical needles (and a few other specific medical things). It's so severe that knowing people close to me interacted with medical needles, or even typing this post make me very uncomfortable and a bit jittery. I cannot be in a room with a medical needles, and can have a full panic attack just thinking about them for long enough. I have to be fully sedated to the point of being blacked out (like blackout drunk but with sedatives, functionally unconscious) to have basic dental work because of the novocaine needles. To date I have not found a medical facility willing to let me get sedated enough for shots. The two shots I've had to get in the last few years were only small under the skin ones, and it was a multi-day ordeal of no sleep, crying for hours a day, complete inability to do anything whatsoever, and nightmares for a few weeks, and that's on top of the sedatives they will let me have. This one is intramuscular, so I have no idea how I can possibly get it. I know I will need to for school, and I've already had a good share of meltdowns over the thought, but I just don't know how it's going to happen. I'm going to keep calling places and trying to make deals. I'm also working on involving psychiatry to see if they can help me get knocked out for this nightmare.

But that's why I have no plans to get it (or any other vaccine) unless it becomes mandatory for me, and even then I would absolutely consider quitting if they couldn't make some accommodation. These last few months of it being everywhere in the news and people's conversations has felt like a constant waking nightmare and I haven't felt safe, even in my own home, for a while, because there's nowhere where I can escape it. Learned a lot about how people view me/my situation too.

I'll try to keep it short.

My thing is, it's not the science. Dilantin works just fine for seizures-science says it works on thousand of epileptic patients-and, doctors describe the right medication per each patient not solely because science says "it works." Going off of that, the "you're not listening to science" issue isn't applicable for me.

Evangelicalhumanist said:

So, a question for all of you who don't want to be vaccinated: Can you provide one or two reasons, in your own words why not? I considered adding a bunch of options to the poll, but then I'd be leading you by the nose.

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1. Inner feeling or gut feeling something is off
2. It's too new
3. I'm not in an environment, career, and situation where it would be in my best interests
4. I don't take anything because "they" say so

Evangelicalhumanist said:

So, if you answer the poll with a simple choice, getting it or not, and then add a short comment saying why or why not -- in your own words?

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Most of what I said above.

The "social responsibility" thing doesn't work with me given what I mentioned above. In general, though, I've always been more independent. Not many friends and barely speak to anyone more than a second outside of work. If I hadn't the internet, I would never have known this was going on (no television) except for the masks.

Evangelicalhumanist said:

And please, in this thread, don't try to ridicule the reasons given by other members -- let's just try to learn something, here.

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Thank you.

Those are my reasons in a nutshell. I don't care for the promotion of it and don't care of how its dividing people. I also don't care how our economy (the long term effects) are left in the back of people's minds over the deaths (short term effects) over this is illness. I also find it odd when it comes to side affects that scientist take the blood clot thing seriously, hold off one, but others decide to take that particular vaccine(s) (J&J and Astra-Zeneca) just because its a vaccine.

It does get kinda frustrating. But that's my response.

I would not take any drug that is being pushed through.

There's also interactions that may conflict with other medications I'm taking.

I don't care for any level of mercury in my body if it can be helped.

Covid is not lethal for most people.

Shadow Wolf said:

How are they able to answer yes if they don't plan on getting it?

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You are right -- sloppy phrasing on my part.

Still, I'm just looking for a simple "yes/no" answer, and then a very short, in your own words, "why or why not?"

lovesong said:

I'm 100% pro-vaccine and would, theoretically, like to get it. Unfortunately it doesn't look like I will any time soon though. I have a very severe clinical phobia to medical needles (and a few other specific medical things). It's so severe that knowing people close to me interacted with medical needles, or even typing this post make me very uncomfortable and a bit jittery. I cannot be in a room with a medical needles, and can have a full panic attack just thinking about them for long enough. I have to be fully sedated to the point of being blacked out (like blackout drunk but with sedatives, functionally unconscious) to have basic dental work because of the novocaine needles. To date I have not found a medical facility willing to let me get sedated enough for shots. The two shots I've had to get in the last few years were only small under the skin ones, and it was a multi-day ordeal of no sleep, crying for hours a day, complete inability to do anything whatsoever, and nightmares for a few weeks, and that's on top of the sedatives they will let me have. This one is intramuscular, so I have no idea how I can possibly get it. I know I will need to for school, and I've already had a good share of meltdowns over the thought, but I just don't know how it's going to happen. I'm going to keep calling places and trying to make deals. I'm also working on involving psychiatry to see if they can help me get knocked out for this nightmare.

But that's why I have no plans to get it (or any other vaccine) unless it becomes mandatory for me, and even then I would absolutely consider quitting if they couldn't make some accommodation. These last few months of it being everywhere in the news and people's conversations has felt like a constant waking nightmare and I haven't felt safe, even in my own home, for a while, because there's nowhere where I can escape it. Learned a lot about how people view me/my situation too.

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I understand -- I have a friend with a similar phobia, and he will also not get a vaccine. I can make no complaint against that, because I don't believe either of you has any real control over your phobia.

Let me just say this -- I hope all the members will keep their fingers crossed for you that infection leaves you alone. Or if it does get to you, that you are healthy enough to suffer no bad consequences. Nobody wants to see you get sick.

Can’t really answer the poll because I already received both doses.

As to why? Because there’s a deadly virus that needs to be eradicated, and I care about people, and I could safely receive it.

For some it is not as black and white as you presented it.

My doctor recommends I not get the vaccine do to my many medical issues.
He flat out told me and a couple other of his patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis and other autoimmune diagnosis's that until there are more studies concerning the vaccine in this area, it may not be a good idea to get it until there is more known about it.

So the only honest answer I can give to the question: "Will you be getting a Covid-19 vaccine?"
is: "I do not know".

Which is not a poll option.

Evangelicalhumanist said:

I understand -- I have a friend with a similar phobia, and he will also not get a vaccine. I can make no complaint against that, because I don't believe either of you has any real control over your phobia.

Let me just say this -- I hope all the members will keep their fingers crossed for you that infection leaves you alone. Or if it does get to you, that you are healthy enough to suffer no bad consequences. Nobody wants to see you get sick.

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Thank you, I appreciate the well-wishes. I really do want to get it - if they released any other version (nasal, patch, pill, etc) I would get it in a heartbeat. I'd also jump so fast on the opportunity if I found a doctor that was willing to help people like me. It's frustrating, because it isn't that they're not able to, my dentist is able to, but that they're not willing to take the little bit of time needed to help people like me get it. I'm even willing to pay out of pocket for the time I'd need to be taking up a chair. I'm definitely on the severe end of the phobia spectrum, but there are many others out there who won't get it out of fear and no other reason, so if doctors were a little more willing to help us, it would help everyone big time in the long run. I really can't express how mad I am at how the medical industry handles phobia in general. That could be a whole rant-threat of its own. Maybe if a psychiatrist gets my back I can strong-arm them into letting me get it.

I know I will need it eventually. My best friend has an autoimmune disorder, I desperately want to travel again, and I'm in school. All of those things require it. I just don't know how I can. It really does just feel like my life is over, and it's killing me (sorry, don't mean to get emotional).

SalixIncendium said:

Can’t really answer the poll because I already received both doses.

As to why? Because there’s a deadly virus that needs to be eradicated, and I care about people, and I could safely receive it.

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This, other than that I haven't received both yet. We want to travel, and feel safe.

Mestemia said:

For some it is not as black and white as you presented it.

My doctor recommends I not get the vaccine do to my many medical issues.
He flat out told me and a couple other of his patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis and other autoimmune diagnosis's that until there are more studies concerning the vaccine in this area, it may not be a good idea to get it until there is more known about it.

So the only honest answer I can give to the question: "Will you be getting a Covid-19 vaccine?"
is: "I do not know".

Which is not a poll option.

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Thank you. But I think you do know, and I have to say that your reason is totally valid -- if your doctor recommends that you not get it, then I think you are quite correct to listen to her or him. I listen to my doctor -- she knows a whole lot more medicine than I do.

lovesong said:

Thank you, I appreciate the well-wishes. I really do want to get it - if they released any other version (nasal, patch, pill, etc) I would get it in a heartbeat. I'd also jump so fast on the opportunity if I found a doctor that was willing to help people like me. It's frustrating, because it isn't that they're not able to, my dentist is able to, but that they're not willing to take the little bit of time needed to help people like me get it. I'm even willing to pay out of pocket for the time I'd need to be taking up a chair. I'm definitely on the severe end of the phobia spectrum, but there are many others out there who won't get it out of fear and no other reason, so if doctors were a little more willing to help us, it would help everyone big time in the long run. I really can't express how mad I am at how the medical industry handles phobia in general. That could be a whole rant-threat of its own. Maybe if a psychiatrist gets my back I can strong-arm them into letting me get it.

I know I will need it eventually. My best friend has an autoimmune disorder, I desperately want to travel again, and I'm in school. All of those things require it. I just don't know how I can. It really does just feel like my life is over, and it's killing me (sorry, don't mean to get emotional).

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Well then, let's both start hoping that the giant pharma companies come up with a nasal aerosol verion of the vaccine! They've done it before.

In Australia, cases are low and to me the risk of getting the virus has to be compared with the risk of clotting with the AZ vaccine, which is all that is available here.

The low risk of the clotting is promoted, but if you are someone who died from the effects of the vaccine by trying to dodge the virus, the irony is not lost. What if you are the “one” who gets the clots and loses your life? You’re just as dead.

The other factor for me is that variants of the original Covid 19 virus are not covered by the current vaccines, so a jab will not mean immunity to those variants....and who knows how many there will be? How many jabs will the world’s population (or what’s left of them) have to get in the future?

I would rather build up my own immune system with diet and supplements and wait for something I can trust. I am not a fan of over-vaccinations especially of very young infants who have underdeveloped immune systems. (I have suspicions about the cause of autism, which is almost epidemic these days with way too many vaccines, often administered all at once to those whose tiny bodies are under assault) And I have very little faith in the current medical system and it’s reliance on symptom controlling medications that do little but bolster the bank balance of big pharma.

This is my personal opinion and has nothing to do with my religion as we are left to act according to our own conscience.

When big profits are the driving force in producing anything, I would rather stand back and wait for more information, as rushing to produce something that will be injected into my body has to have my confidence.....the medical system as it stands at present does nothing to win my confidence.

Deeje said:

In Australia, cases are low and to me the risk of getting the virus has to be compared with the risk of clotting with the AZ vaccine, which is all that is available here.

The low risk of the clotting is promoted, but if you are someone who died from the effects of the vaccine by trying to dodge the virus, the irony is not lost. What if you are the “one” who gets the clots and loses your life? You’re just as dead.

The other factor for me is that variants of the original Covid 19 virus are not covered by the current vaccines, so a jab will not mean immunity to those variants....and who knows how many there will be? How many jabs will the world’s population (or what’s left of them) have to get in the future?

I would rather build up my own immune system with diet and supplements and wait for something I can trust. I am not a fan of over-vaccinations especially of very young infants who have underdeveloped immune systems. (I have suspicions about the cause of autism, which is almost epidemic these days with way too many vaccines, often administered all at once to those whose tiny bodies are under assault) And I have very little faith in the current medical system and it’s reliance on symptom controlling medications that do little but bolster the bank balance of big pharma.

This is my personal opinion and has nothing to do with my religion as we are left to act according to our own conscience.

When big profits are the driving force in producing anything, I would rather stand back and wait for more information, as rushing to produce something that will be injected into my body has to have my confidence.....the medical system as it stands at present does nothing to win my confidence.

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If I may say, the data from all over the world is that -- at least so far -- the vaccines available have all been quite effective against the known variants. For sure, this may not always hold true, but one hopes that by that time (as has happened for years with the flu vaccines), the pharmaceutical companies will be able to keep up.

Also, it is true that general good health can make one's immune system stronger, but it is still necessary for the body to have access to the antigen in question within enough time for the body to build up an immunity. Most people who die from viral infections had immune systems that mounted a defence -- just not before the virus had overwhelmed various organs of the body.

Evangelicalhumanist said:

I have had my first dose of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine.

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I wonder how you felt when they stopped offering first doses of it in Ontario?
I voted no anyway.

My answer would be too long and too spooky for the people who have the vaccine already, or were planning to get it.

I'm everywhere already.

If I was going to get it, I would have got it already.

I'm not afraid of Covid.

I respect it, but I'm not afraid of it.

I was leaving a delivery to No Frills on Albion Rd. The people were lined up all the way around and down Martin Grove Rd. There were thousands of them. Lined up for miles with lawn chairs. I didn't even know what it was. Then it came on 680 news. The Albion Rd Arena pop-up clinic for Covid-19 vaccination.

680 said they began lining up the evening before. I felt so sorry for the people. There were so many of them that it didn't look possible that they could get to them all. I knew they were afraid. Pop-up chairs for a pop-up clinic during a pop-up-apocalypse.

I will not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day,
Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness,
Nor the plague that ravages at noon.

Evangelicalhumanist said:

If I may say, the data from all over the world is that -- at least so far -- the vaccines available have all been quite effective against the known variants.

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That is not what our medical experts are saying here. Like the seasonal flu, you have to have another shot for the variant. Last year’s flu shot won’t tackle this year’s strain.

They are saying now that the vaccine is better at producing antibodies than the immune system of those who have had the virus, meaning that even if you've had Covid 19, you need the vaccine too. That is not the way natural immunity works. Once your immune system had dealt with a virus, the antibodies produced stay in the bloodstream for the rest of your life, giving you natural immunity. My daughter and granddaughter were both immunized against whooping cough, yet both got it years later. Can most people tell the difference between vaccination and immunization? Are they the same?

For sure, this may not always hold true, but one hopes that by that time (as has happened for years with the flu vaccines), the pharmaceutical companies will be able to keep up.

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They will make sure they “keep up”.....there is too much money to be made out of people’s fear, not to meet the created need.

Also, it is true that general good health can make one's immune system stronger, but it is still necessary for the body to have access to the antigen in question within enough time for the body to build up an immunity. Most people who die from viral infections had immune systems that mounted a defence -- just not before the virus had overwhelmed various organs of the body.

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I understand all that, but I am not convinced that the origin of this virus, or it’s release into the world, was accidental. The origin and its ridiculous explanation was (and still is) very suss IMO. I have read about the scientist who headed the Wuhan Viral Laboratory and she had done at least 10 years research into bat to human transmission of viruses. She had even published papers on the subject. Why on earth would anyone want to do that?

In a world where overpopulation is a real worry for the future, what is the solution? The powers that be have grave concerns as to how they will feed their ever growing populations in a sustainable way, especially where refugees are flocking in great numbers from countries who already have no hope....to countries who can't accommodate them. Its a human tragedy! with no humane solutions.

I think there is a much bigger picture here, and a global pandemic is certainly doing a great job in reducing the populations of many nations, especially targeting the elderly and those with chronic health issues. Chance selects its victims.....

I admit it....I am a skeptic, but I believe I have good reasons.

No, because I don't want it and I'm not going to rush to inject myself with something I don't trust in a climate of hysteria and panic.