Disclaimer: The Eqbal Ahmad Centre for Public Education (EACPE) encourages critical and independent thinking and believes in a free expression of one’s opinion. However, the views expressed in contributed articles are solely those of their respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the EACPE.
”Keep reminding patients that a short period of discomfort is a whole lot better than a visit to the ICU.” (William Schaffner, MD)
I am thinking of taking the coronavirus vaccine — I have been avoiding the vaccine for a long time because of the potential adverse effects that I have been hearing about over the last couple of months.
What has caused the change in perspective?
I have not become more knowledgeable over the issue of the adverse effects in any significant sense but a few things have led me to believe that it is time to get vaccinated.
I have been spared the ravages of the virus for a long time due to excessively severe prevention methods: strict social-distancing, wearing the KN95 respirator in public including outside, regular usage of antiseptic on my hands and other parts of the body and cleaning all products with a sanitizer before making it available for usage and so on.
And as a believer in God I do believe He has helped me avoid the contagious killer.
So why do I want to get vaccinated now?
The fact that I have been fortunate for this long is no proof that I shall remain this lucky for long. Therefore, it is important that I take additional safety measures such as the vaccine.
The virus is real and dangerous and science considers vaccines to be essential for protecting people from the most dangerous consequences of a viral attack.
I visited the A&E for some issue and the nurse inquired if I was vaccinated. I replied in the negative and she asked the reasons for my intransigence. I mentioned the possibility of blood-clots from the vaccine as a reason for not conforming to the medical opinion. She startled me be saying that the risk of developing blood-clots is higher with the viral disease itself than with any vaccine.
I do think this fact and my fear of blood-clots seriously weakened my stubbornness of refusing the vaccine.
However, the final catalyst came from an unlikely source: my dad.
He mentioned today, that I should go with him as he takes his second jab at the pharmacy.
I inquired of him the reason for accompanying him and he mentioned that: ”You will lose your fear of vaccines when you see me take it.”
I asked my mother and she said: ”Go with him—but do not take the vaccine. I cannot take care of you if you get ill because I am sick myself.”
I discussed with my dad and he said: ”Think about it tonight and you can decide to tomorrow if you wish to come with me and possibly take the vaccine.”
I took a bath and prayed.
And I decided to write an article about this whole episode.
So as I come to the end of my article I think I will take the vaccine.
I mean what other choice do I have?
The virus is real and dangerous and science considers vaccines to be essential for protecting people from the most dangerous consequences of a viral attack.
Furthermore, I have read stories of people who regretted not taking the vaccine on their death-beds and I cannot imagine that to be a false scenario or something that I wish upon anyone especially myself.
There may be side-effects of the vaccine but I pray and hope that God will protect me from such things.
I might have to face my fear of the injection and the vaccine and simply take it or risk getting into the ICU and dying like a devil—in pain screaming and scratching for a last gasp of breathe.
And God knows best as usual, I really hope I am making the right decision.
A contributed article by Zalghi Khan
