I had no desire to repeat my position on taking the vaccine but seeing it questioned here twice, somewhat more reasonably by Bluejay and then a bit childishly by Maple, I suppose I need to state it again.

My position on how the west has chosen to react to this pandemic is well documented on these boards. In truth I grew tried commenting upon it.

However that said, I always supported the development of vaccines. From the start. It's true, that while I doubted their effectiveness as a silver bullet (and still do) I regarded their development as necessary for several obvious grounds which I'm sure most of us would agree on....I make that clear as to combat any idea that I'm anti vaccines.

However, due to the nature of this virus, and its average victim age, my concern was for its rollout to be for those with weakened immune systems, which will normally be the elderly but not exclusively so. It is with some distinction that the UK has managed this to a degree that puts them up with the best in the world.

Those points being made I can move onto why I'm not personally taking the vaccine at this stage and the objections to my reasoning.

This is a rushed vaccine, but due to the position the world found itself in that was always going to be the case. Bluejay makes the point that it had a few months development testing before rollout and Maple in the past suggested that its years in development based upon work on Sars one vaccines (which as far as I'm aware were never successfully developed).

I don't regard either of these two points as strong ones.

Taking a rushed vaccine is a risk/reward question, which comes down to an individual's assessment.

For myself, having looked into this virus and my own personal health I don't consider that balance to be strong enough at this time. I don't pick up illness very easily and while I remain robust the case for taking a 'year in development' vaccine isn't strong.

I will review that later down the line.

So in summary, I regard the vaccine option for those who are elderly or who feel vulnerable as a positive. However, when it comes to promoting the vaccine outside of that demographic I feel that there are valid objections that deserve far more recognition than is currently the case.

I also see the reason promoted that I should be taking the vaccine as some form of social responsibility.....really? As this comes from the 'my body, my choice' mob I find that rather charming.

Those who can be called social liberals have, in my opinion ensured that society moves into far less socially cohesive times, so I regard this point as pretty inconsistent within a wider individualist context.

As said, I've recommended the vaccine to a set demographic based upon a risk/reward basis....not to dissimilar to how the flu vaccine was being offered before it.....and how I envisage it will be offered in the future once and if these irrational times are over.

Edited by Stirlingsays (06 Mar 2021 11.23am)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

For what it's worth, having done extensive reading I don't understand people refusing the vaccine on health grounds, apart from possibly the mRNA ones due to slight (tiny) increased chance of a severe auto-immune reaction.

The development speed is more easily understood when you realise most have been developed collaboratively, rather than in silos like previously.

That said, it's still an individuals choice as to whether they want it or not. A case can be made as to why it's not particularly scientific to refuse it but ultimately it's freedom of choice.

And, as long as that individual decides that they are going to maintain reasonable social distancing and hygiene to counter the chance of inadvertently spreading the virus until they do, eventually, have the jab, then fair enough.

However, refusing the vaccine and also rejecting social distancing or a duty to protect others is where I'd cross the line from respecting choice to full on derision. It then becomes a social issue not just an individual one, and that person is therefore immediately fair game.

Did you know? 98.0000001% of people are morons.

I say that's mostly reasonable, though I say we both differ upon the appropriate societal response to this threat level.

In time, I'm of the view, that my position will become less of a minority one.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Just to add, I certainly don't think it should be mandatory or anything like that, rather I am heartened that so many chose to have it. Especially for elderly and those with health issues, they put themselves and consequently their families in a much better position. Everything we know suggests more consequences from covid than getting vaccinated, and I want the peace of mind of knowing that I'm protecting myself and others. If some vulnerable or elderly make the ill judged decision to not get vaccinated to my mind I still have a degree of obligation towards their health, not just my own. No doubt that's classed as virtue signalling nowadays, which just about everything is including actual virtue.

I accept the situation for what is it and where we are and do my best with it.

Edited by BlueJay (06 Mar 2021 1.38pm)

That's the thing. For the rights or wrongs of these lockdowns, it will be tens of millions getting vaccinated that get things up and running again. It's a shot at normality that we wouldn't have otherwise had either in lockdown, or out of it while pretending that none of this even mattered. Make mine a double!

Reports today that 1 million people may have 'long covid'. Thos can put a dampener on your whole life not just the next 3 months. It looks like a harsher form of ME so filo fax at the ready.
Seriously though having people relying on you to be the bread winner and getting long covid affects the whole family.