VACCINES vs. VACCINATIONS

There’s a big difference between having a vaccine ready to go and getting people vaccinated. These days, the talk about “shots in arms” has been the big thing. Yes, the science to develop, test and prepare the vaccines (much of which had taken place long before any of us ever heard of a coronavirus) was the crucial first step. However, as we keep hearing, until enough of us get vaccinated to stop the spread, we will not move beyond the current public health crisis or have any chance to get back to some semblance of normalcy.

Those of us of a certain age may remember our history of the polio vaccination push when we were very young. I don’t remember getting the actual shot, but I do remember a small dimpled scar on my upper left arm that my mother told me was from a vaccination. Maybe polio, maybe smallpox. Either way, it has long since disappeared. She also says she remembers when she and Dad went in to the doctor’s office to get their polio vaccinations. I also remember studying Jonas Salk in school and seeing pictures of rows of the big iron lungs in my schoolbooks when we learned about what he had saved us from. I suppose years from now, students will see pictures of ventilators and people walking around in masks when they study this time in our history. But this time it wasn’t one scientist, it was many across the globe coming together to save us.

So what’s my thinking on vaccines vs. vaccinations? Well, like so many things it’s the tool vs. the successful application of the tool that makes the difference. Looking back to the work of Jonas Salk, we wouldn’t have seen a successful eradication of polio, also caused by a virus, if his discovery had sat on a shelf. We had to deploy a successful broad vaccination strategy. I remember two people in my neighborhood who had polio, one the older brother of my best friend and one the mother of my brother’s classmate. My friend’s brother lived next door and fell ill at a time that I can remember. Fortunately, he recovered. The mother across the street had already recovered when the family moved in. We knew her ill effects were the result of this dreaded disease. These experiences are memories from more than 55 years ago, so it’s obvious what an effect they had on me.

Fast forward to today, and I got my COVID vaccination last night. First one in a two-shot series, the second scheduled in four weeks. While I was waiting for my age group to be called, last week I got two other vaccinations recommended for my age group—pneumonia and shingles. While my doctor said it was fine to get both on the same day—I have two arms, after all—in retrospect, I don’t recommend it! The experience was far worse in terms of side effects than the Moderna vaccination. But it’s behind me and far better than either of the ailments intended to protect me against.

One final thought before closing. There is so much information, both positive and negative, out there now about the various COVID-19 vaccines both available and not yet available. Your friends have opinions, people in the media have opinions, and I also have my opinions. Here’s a bit of free advice for you. Most of your friends are not scientists or medical professionals, nor do they know your complete medical history. It’s interesting to know what your friends are doing and what their experiences have been, but it’s likely irrelevant to your final decision. Make your decision based on sound advice from your medical team, and definitely not on what you get from social media. Your medical team knows you and your needs best. Don’t let your friends or strangers on the internet, no matter how well-meaning, convince you otherwise.

IN CLOSING

Thanks for reading.  Looking forward to your comments and connections, both virtual and in person in the not too distant future.    Until next time . . . . stay safe and healthy and remember, this too shall pass. Next up—“W for WORK FROM HOME.”