As a parent of multiple children, all of whom are vaccinated, we chose to space out their vaccinations to better identify any potential reactions. This approach seemed prudent—until it wasn’t. Our youngest, at her eighteen-month checkup, received two vaccines. Within a day, she experienced a severe reaction: a high fever, a full-body rash, irritability, and repeated vomiting. It was a difficult time for both her and me.
Before I delve into her experience, I want to clarify that I am not anti-vaccine. I trust modern medicine, ethical scientific research, and the findings that come from it. Some may assume that after my child’s reaction, I would join the ranks of anti-vaxxers. However, that’s not the case. With the COVID-19 pandemic, I find it frustrating that anti-vaxxers exploit situations like my child’s legitimate vaccine reaction to avoid getting vaccinated.
It’s well-known that vaccines can have side effects, which are thoroughly documented on vaccine manufacturers’ websites, as well as on government sites like the FDA and CDC. Vaccinations come with risks—nothing in life is entirely risk-free. The CDC has noted that mRNA vaccines, like those from Pfizer and Moderna, have resulted in rare cases of myocarditis, primarily in young males. Similarly, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is associated with rare instances of thrombosis in women under 50. While I empathize with those who have had reactions, I refuse to let them use my child’s experience as a rationale for opting out of vaccinations.
When our leading scientists and health professionals urge those without a vaccine history to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others, it’s perplexing and unjust for them to use cases like my child’s as an excuse. Firstly, another person’s reaction doesn’t equate to your own potential reaction unless there’s a direct biological link. Secondly, when there’s no personal history of vaccine-related issues, the benefits of vaccinations greatly outweigh the risks.
I have chosen to write this anonymously to prevent anyone from using my family’s experience to bolster their anti-vaccine agenda. I refuse to be a poster child for such rhetoric. Unfortunately, some of the most vocal opponents of vaccination are fellow Christians. The Bible teaches us to love our neighbors, and ignoring the reality of a pandemic contradicts that principle. Protesting masks and refusing vaccines goes against what I believe is a moral obligation.
I often wonder if those who decline the vaccine would seek medical help if they fell gravely ill with COVID-19. Would they stick to alternative remedies instead of seeking professional care? I hear the arguments that we should let our immune systems do their work. Yet, many of these same individuals neglect basic health practices while expecting miraculous protection from their choices.
There are individuals who genuinely cannot get vaccinated or wear masks due to health conditions. It is imperative for the rest of us to step up and protect these vulnerable members of our society. After my daughter’s reaction, we spent years navigating doctors’ offices to identify the cause. Even now, we are checking her immunity levels and undergoing allergy testing. This commitment has been time-consuming and costly, but it’s necessary for her health and our family’s well-being.
When anti-vaxxers claim they won’t get vaccinated due to potential severe reactions, I can’t help but sigh. While it’s true that any medical intervention carries risks, unless someone has a documented history of severe reactions, their arguments are weak and frustrating.
I wish more eligible individuals would choose to get vaccinated, thereby protecting those who truly cannot. Instead of spreading misinformation, I hope they’ll unite to safeguard our communities.
No one claims vaccines are 100% safe; that would be scientifically inaccurate. There are rare cases of adverse effects, and those stories matter. However, those affected, like my daughter, should not be used as tokens in the anti-vaccine movement. It’s time for collective action to combat this pandemic together.
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