Today, Fandango’s provocative question (#FPQ) is all about the COVID-19 vaccine. Fandango asks: have you gotten vaccinated for COVID-19 yet? If not, are you planning to? If you have, or are planning to, how do you think your life will change afterwards? If you’re not planning to get vaccinated, why not?
First, yes, I did get the COVID vaccine. I got the Pfizer one and got the first shot in early february and the second just shy of two weeks ago. I never doubted whether to get the vaccine or not. I, after all, have always been pro-vaccine and especially with the coronavirus. I mean, I’m not worried that I’ll get very sick with COVID, but I do worry for those I live with. I also think that, the more people get vaccinated, the more likely we are to return to some semblance of normal. I’m not naive though: I know COVID will likely never fully go away. My hope is though that we can control the worst effects of the pandemic.
As for how I think things will change now, not likely anything will within the near future. Our staff have all gotten the letter to ask them to make a vaccination appointment, but they’re due to get the AstraZeneca one. With that requiring eleven to twelve weeks between the first and second shot, they won’t likely be protected against COVID until sometime in May or June. That is, if the Netherlands starts using the AstraZeneca vaccine again. The government has currently suspended it for now because of “concerns”.
Well, let me be very clear: even if one in 100,000 people do get thrombosis after being vaccinated, and it’s actually the vaccine that’s to blame, I’d still have taken the risk had I been offered this vaccine rather than the Pfizer one.
That’s not to say there are no side effects. I had none from the Pfizer vaccine and even worried I hadn’t gotten the shot right. Many of my staff got some immune reactions like fevers or a sore arm due to the first AstraZeneca shot. Those are short-term though and, to most people I know, are outweighed by the long-term benefits of the vaccine.
Ultimately, I hope that, once my staff are all vaccinated, the day center will reopen. I think that’s the first positive thing that will come out of the vaccination campaign. Other than that, I’m not sure. I rarely attend concerts or other large events, so I won’t need my vaccine report for those.
Speaking of which, I’m not 100% decided on the topic of vaccination reports. In the voting guide for today’s election, I did say that I do think venues should be allowed to ask for a vaccine report before allowing people in. I do feel that, if you’re able to be vaccinated, it’s really a kind of moral obligation that you are, but there are also people who aren’t able to.
What do you think?
A Multitude of Musings 
I think it makes sense to require proof of vaccination for entry into large social gatherings with close contact, but it wouldn’t be fair to require it for basic daily activities.
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Oh yes, agree about that. I mean, those who for whatever reason aren’t vaccinated, still need food or medical care or the like.
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I’m glad you got your vaccination, we finished our 2nd dose this week. We’d love to see a glimpse of normal.
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Agree. So glad you got your vaccination too.
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I think those who refuse to get vaccinated when it’s available to them are being selfish.
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Yes, true. I mean, there are rare cases when the vaccine could cause terrible side effects, but those plain out refusing the vaccine because of conspiracy theories or whatever, are really being a nuisance to the rest of society.
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My husband and I will be getting our vaccine here in Mexico. Sign up is a little different, we were told to first to signup online. Next send a copy of required documents via WhatsApp to some agency in the sky. Supposedly, they will contact us with a time, date, location.
It is common for us to carry our Shot Record with our passport. Fine with us to prove we got the shot. We wear masks everywhere and self-quarantine, also. Our list of underlying conditions is as long as our arm. We’ve spent enough time in hospitals that wearing masks is a minor inconvenience. Glad you didn’t have Covid and have both your shots.
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Thank you for commenting. That’s weird that you have to send your documentation via WhatsApp, as I suppose that isn’t as secure as a government website should be.
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Apparently each city has their own contact WhatsApp phone number and they make the determination if we meet the qualifications and set appointments.
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Oh okay. What I meant though is the security of WhatsApp itself and the risk of sending stuff to the wrong number. Here in the Netherlands, if you want to do anything related to the government, you have to sign in with your personal ID in a specially-designed app.
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That’s the way it should be.
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How wonderful that you’re fully vaccinated now. I get my first shot this coming Monday (Pfizer). I was shocked I was able to get it scheduled this quickly. So many people here are saying they won’t get it because they thought it was developed too fast. Their choice makes me sad because it will just delay a return to normalcy for all of us.
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I agree, it is truly sad. The reason the vaccine was developed so quickly is because COVID is an urgent and worldwide health crisis, so lots of companies were working together. I’m so glad you’ll get your first shot on Monday.
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I’m getting the pfizer one too! I cant wait to finally get it! ❤
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I totally get that. Fingers crossed you’ll get it soon and have no side effects.
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