Why Did I Get Vaccinated?

Grateful

A few weeks ago I went to a Walmart and got the second dose of my Covid-19 vaccine. Other than a little pain in the arm and a need to take some ibuprofen the next day I was fine. Personally, I am so grateful for the minds and labor of the thousands of people who worked together to bring that life-saving shot to my arm at no cost to me. From scientists, doctors, lab workers, trial recipients, pharmacists, politicians, tax payers, government officials, health workers, truck drivers, internet providers, and down to the kind man giving the shot. We pray weekly in our church for God’s intervention and help in matters of health, and now here is a huge answer to prayer that saves lives in the tangible form of a vaccine. Yet, some are still hesitant for various reasons, so why did I get the shot?

For My Own Health

My Life and health are a gift from God to nourish and protect. For myself, I trust the medical community especially when they speak with an almost unanimous voice telling me that the vaccine is highly effective and safe in protecting against a virus that has killed millions of people around the world despite all the mitigation measures that have been put in place.  We must always weigh out the risks in everything. The chances of my being hospitalized or dying from Covid-19 may be low, but they still far greater many times over than harm coming from the vaccine. Just as I put on my seat belt in the car even though I might not ever be in an accident, taking the vaccine lowers my risk.

For the Love of Others

By taking the vaccine I know that the chances of my getting infected and spreading it to someone else who could get ill or even die are also greatly reduced. On a larger scale, by being willing to do my small part the spread of this virus and potential variants can eventually be stopped much faster and with far less death than would be the case is we simply let it run the natural course to get to herd immunity.  Beyond my own benefit, I’m glad to take action  that can help protect others and allow them to enjoy safe interactions. High vaccination rates will help all of us to to return to a normal life faster than would otherwise be possible. As a pastor and believer I want to hasten the time when we all can safely gather in person without masks or concern of harm to those most vulnerable.

Because I Can

As children we were sometimes told to eat our food because there are people starving somewhere else in the world. Well, that is not all that motivating for a child who doesn’t want to eat vegetables, but it does speak to appreciating and not wasting the opportunities I am given. As residents in the United States we are blessed to be among the first to have access to a vaccine. The vast majority in the world still does not. There are also others even here who for medical reasons can’t take the vaccine. This means it is all the more important for those who can to do so. When it is available for me to help, I want to do so.

We Are Connected

It seems that one lesson we should learn from this pandemic is the degree to which we are all connected. The infection of one person can in some cases spread across the globe. The solution likewise requires cooperation by the vast majority.  I sometimes hear someone say they won’t vote because one vote won’t change the election results. What if everyone said this?  We can’t always look at ourselves as individuals who can do whatever we want without any impact on other people. It is better to ask, what if everyone in the world took my course of action, would the world be a better place or worse off?  The facts are clear. A world that is vaccinated is a world with less illness and death, a better economy, and a faster recovery. So which world do you want to live in?