Over 30 million individuals, including over 3 million persons over the age of 65, have chosen not to get the COVID-19 vaccinations (CDC)1. They are exercising their personal decision to stay unprotected against the virus by vaccination, and they are willing to bear the dangers that come with it. Risk, on the other hand, does not exist in a vacuum. I recognize that some people have medical reasons for not being vaccinated, and I believe they should do so. I’m also aware that new illnesses are conceivable, but like life itself, health is always a question of chance. People who have been vaccinated are less likely to become infected with COVID-19 and less likely to transfer it to others.
When a person chooses vaccination, they obtain the personal advantage of disease prevention. They also accept the individual risk of vaccination short-term adverse effects and the improbable long-term consequences that have yet to be discovered. The vast majority of vaccination side effects have been mild or curable. According to data provided to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)2. Vaccine-related deaths and illnesses have been rare. When a person decides to stay unvaccinated, they have the personal benefit of avoiding any short or long-term vaccination adverse effects. Prior infections give some protection, but initial conditions combined with immunization provide the best long-lasting protection. They also accept the personal risk of being infected (or reinfected) and developing a severe case that requires hospitalization.
The key lesson from this risk assessment is that COVID-19 introduces both personal and societal dangers. Vaccines lower personal risk while providing personal and public advantages. They also carry minimal personal risk linked with uncommon side effects. Individuals must make a conscious choice to lower general risk, either by becoming vaccinated or deferring medical care if the virus makes them sick enough to require hospitalization.
It appears that no amount of emotional or rational argumentation can persuade someone who refuses to be vaccinated to change their mind. They should be allowed to make personal decisions as long as they have no public ramifications. The issue arises when personal choices have public repercussions. That is why there are regulations prohibiting individuals from smoking indoors in public areas and traffic restrictions. These are personal decisions with general implications.
Footnotes
- 1 – CDC. “COVID Data Tracker.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Web.
- 2 – “Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).” Hhs.gov, 2020.