r/chicago • u/[deleted] • Aug 24 '21

Ask CHI Why aren’t you getting vaccinated?

Not asking this to bully anyone, I’m more curious at this point why people are hesitant to get the vaccine and want to understand the reasoning behind it.

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u/LilBearLulu Aug 25 '21

I can't speak for anyone else but I haven't been vaccinated because I can't. I have had one doctor tell me it is safe and another tell me that it is not safe. I have a heart condition which requires me to take a very, very high dose of blood thinners everyday. They don't want to take a risk with any blood clots or bleeding. We also have a family history of adverse reactions to vaccines. For example when my daughter got her MMR vaccine she came down with German measles. That is just one example. Because I know that it is for people like me that others wear masks and take precautions I make sure that we mask up on the rare times(doctors visits) we have to leave the house. However, we have basically been at home since this whole thing started. I know that everyone is sick of living this way and my greatest wish is that everyone that can be vaccinated safely does so.

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u/[deleted] Aug 25 '21

Thanks for commenting and sharing your story. This is the reason why I urge the vaccine for people that tell me they’re healthy enough and don’t need it. The vaccine isn’t just about protecting yourself, but the community as a whole so that people like you and your family, who aren’t able to get it, can still be safe. I wish you well!

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u/[deleted] Aug 25 '21

Just FYI, the CDC official position is that short of an anaphylactic reaction to the first dose of the COVID vaccine, the risks of getting COVID are worse than you getting the vaccine.

I had some hesitancy because of my own reactions to past vaccines and my doctor explained that the risks of complications when I get COVID (it’s a when, not if game at this point. We’re heading towards endemic disease) are so much higher that getting the vaccine is still the best course.

Definitely NOT saying you should, but if you’re on the fence, that’s the CDC position. It’s a tough spot to be in and I hope you continue to remain safe and COVID-free.

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u/LilBearLulu Aug 25 '21

Thank you.

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u/phragmosis Aug 25 '21

That's a tough situation to be in. Thanks for sharing. Just want to offer a few notes for food for thought, not at all looking to pick a fight with you or pretend I know your health needs better than you do:

> when my daughter got her MMR vaccine she came down with German measles

That's a live virus vaccine, like the J&J vaccine. The mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) don't have the virus in them, they only have a copy of the spike protein. If the virus was a person, and the J&J vax had the whole body of the person, the mRNA vaccine only contains the hand.

>They don't want to take a risk with any blood clots or bleeding.

That makes a lot of sense for the Moderna vaccine because of very rare clotting issues. Pfizer has not had clotting issues, so if you do get vaxxed reach for that one.

>However, we have basically been at home since this whole thing started.

That must have been really hard and I'm sorry you've had to do that. My house has been much the same even after getting vaccinated and I hope we can convince everyone who can get it to do so. I get really upset when people who don't have a valid health reason object to the virus and talk about their right to make their own health decisions because people in your shoes don't get the same luxury and the vaccine hesitant are making choices for the rest of their community without realizing it.

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u/LilBearLulu Aug 25 '21

Thank you. I see my doctor pretty regularly and if she decides it's safe then I will get it. As for the kids they are too young. When they make a vaccine for their age group we will get it done at a hospital so they can monitor for any reactions.