Written by Micheal Lovaglio
Without a doubt, you’ve heard the rumors: “That man-made virus was sent to kill us! Now they want to put a chip in us with the vaccine!” They say the 2nd shot hurts more than the first (I won’t know for another week) because the first shot is a test to see how compliant you are before giving you the real microchip. Whether you believe these rumors or not, the decision to get vaccinated has become more of a matter of political and social matters rather than public health. The choice to get vaccinated can weigh down on people’s minds, workplace, social group, and even household, and in some areas is so severe that it hinders people’s decision to get vaccinated. And the truth is, the emergence of the vaccine is so new, there is real worry around the medical innovation.
Recently, an outcry occurred over multiple diagnoses of “myocarditis” (inflammation of the heart muscle) of teenagers who received their second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19
Vaccine. On June 2nd, Israeli scientists reported a probable link between the vaccine and the condition, increasing the percentage of Americans who refuse to get the vaccine because of the risk of its side effects. “More than five million people, or nearly 8 percent of those who got a first shot of the Pfizer
or Moderna vaccines, have missed their second doses… Some said they feared the side effects, which can include flu-like symptoms. Others said they felt that they were sufficiently protected with a single shot.”
Will this affect how comfortable students at MAST@FIU are with getting the vaccine? In an anonymous survey of 20 MAST@FIU students, 18/20 said they’d feel comfortable getting the vaccine currently, whether they have or haven’t already. Although students were comfortable publicly sharing their opinion, an anonymous student stated, “Even though the vaccines have been rushed due to pressing situations and demands, I believe everyone should get the vaccine (as long as they don’t have pre-existing conditions) in order for everyone’s lives to go back to the way it used to be. “Another student stated, “Vaccinations are important for us to get back to the normality... We have to vaccinate those who need it more, such as the elderly and those with weaker immune systems, then the rest of the population can follow. If we get near 100% by next year, the country might start to heal.”
At the end of the day, the choice to get the vaccine will not only affect the people around you but will affect you as well. Make sure to do your research, stay informed, and avoid biased news sources when deciding whether or not to get vaccinated. For resources to help you and your family receive a vaccine, follow this link: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/reporting/vaccinefinder/about.html.
Stay safe everyone, and have a great summer!