When introducing anything new, there will be skepticism, and that is something to be expected. Various people will be the first ones willing to try the new product without hesitation, while others will never give it a chance, or they will wait a few months to test it out. Covid-19 is the same but slightly different because it is a product that will be injected into the body to produce antibodies to fight off a deadly disease that has killed millions and infected millions of others.
Vaccinations typically take between 10-15 years of testing, development, and failures before they are introduced to the market, for which they were developed. The first vaccine that is currently approved to be used in the United States for Covid-19 was developed by Pfizer and BionTech, American and German pharmaceutical companies. Covid has been nothing short of detrimental, and with the cases only rising. The disease was quickly spreading through countries; in March 2020, The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services applied the term “Operation Warp Speed” or OWS to their program designed to solely research and develop a vaccine for the growing threat. Some companies, such as Moderna, took that route, which granted them millions of dollars from federal funding. At the same time, Pfizer got its money from the German government that granted its German partner BionTech, reportedly $455 million. As companies fought to become the first to “save the world,” a process that takes a decade was developed in less than a year. A vaccination was finally approved, and many had reason to be optimistic about the future, while others were not and showed their uncertainty through social media platforms.
It is clear why many will jump at the opportunity to be vaccinated, but it is also self-evident why many look at it in a different light. It is never an effortless task to completely trust someone else with health while knowing friends, neighbors, and family members fell victim to such an infectious, life-altering disease. The vaccine was developed so quickly that many do not believe it had enough time to be tested and be put on trial runs.
“Yes, I would most definitely get vaccinated! My reasoning as to why I would receive the vaccination is that I trust our technological advancements in science! With me getting the vaccine, I’d be helping not only myself but millions of vulnerable citizens who are potentially at risk of dying from the virus. In my opinion, the vaccination is something that the general public should not be afraid of, and we should certainly look forward to being released. Vaccinations are meant to better humanity and help aid in fighting off deadly viruses or diseases.”
Said Myles Johnson,19 and a student. He went on to say “The reason why we as a people should trust the new vaccine is that in recent times vaccines have proven nothing but beneficial. Take the common flu as an example. The flu shot helps prevent millions of deaths a year with no side effects. From studies from 2012, the flu shot has a 70 percent chance of being effective. Although it is not 100% effective, it is 100% better than being left with no virus immunity whatsoever.”
The truth of the matter is that currently in the United States, we are going through a period of civil unrest and uncertainty. With Covid lurking so close to us without even knowing where it is, there is another apparent disease, labeled as hatred and greed, lurking in our capital and the minds of our appointed leaders. It is not uncommon in conversations that many do not trust our government to deliver anything to us that will be beneficial. Many believe that many have died from what they are claiming to now be attempting to save us from. People are afraid to take the risk, especially those of the black and brown communities, because of previous vaccinations that were said to be given to help but instead did the complete opposite and brought extreme turmoil to innocent lives. Fear has been embedded in black and brown people for generations when it comes to medical help, so now, most do not know what to want to believe.
“Would I get vaccinated? Absolutely not I personally don’t trust them. Before Covid happened, they were causing autism. However, in my opinion, I do not think they help. Dr. Fauci even said that they do not prevent you from getting it, and even if they were to go about it through the immunity route, they do not need the black community. We don’t even make up half of the population in the U.S. I actually do not trust the government. They placed crack in our neighborhoods, watched the Bronx burn to the ground, watched black Wall Street burn to the ground so I personally feel like they do not value our black and brown brothers and sisters as much as they should,” said Jay McKenzie, a native of New York City.
With that being said, many do not feel that way. They believe in the power of science and the doctors who were appointed to give us this vaccination. The welcomers of the new drug are prepared to try it out without hesitation because of their beliefs. The opportunity to take the vaccine is not something they see as a risk, but rather a necessity to move forward into a better America that is Covid free. The disease is easily spread, as we know. However, while some will recover within a short amount of time, those who are vulnerable because of age, respiratory diseases, or conditions such as diabetes may not have such an expeditious recovery and fall victim to this strange strand of flu.
The decision to be vaccinated is solely up to the person, the same way that it is up to parents who choose to vaccinate or not to vaccinate their children. The only thing that can be asked is that research is done, and a decision is made on whether or not you feel comfortable being vaccinated, not because you feel pressured into doing it or not doing it. The end goal is only for this disease to be beaten so humanity can return to the lives we once adored and only knew.