Vacillating on vaccine

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/12/2020 (2135 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A weekend text from my manager put vaccines on my mind. As a spiritual health practitioner at a Winnipeg hospital, it told me I was eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Because I had some misgivings, I decided to consult the younger generation, now in their mid-30s, for their wisdom.

“I’m hesitant for two reasons,” I told them. “There are others who are more exposed, and I’m not a beta-product fan at the best of times. I’d appreciate hearing your perspectives on this choice.”

It didn’t take long for them to weigh in.

They wanted to know if (and why) I might be leery of the vaccine itself and assured me it was way beyond the beta test phase. They affirmed my eligibility on at least three counts: my age, the fact I live with a vulnerable person, and because I spend a lot of time in the intensive care unit that sees the sickest of COVID-19 patients.

Yet, I wanted to hear more.

“What about my concern that I’m ahead of people who are needier?” I asked, thinking of the health-care aides and personal care home workers who are not as centrally located and high profile as my workplace.

My young friends reminded me that wouldn’t be my decision. “If you decline now, they could give it to someone who needs it even less,” one said.

I had to admit it was a valid point, certainly a pragmatic perspective. Nonetheless, I blustered on.

“I still wonder about the principle, and what my role may be in upholding a more justice-oriented posture in decision-making,” I said.

Again, a firm response.

“At the moment, I would say your energies are better spent by getting the vaccine, staying healthy and then using your energies to affect how the system allocates the vaccine in the future. Taking the vaccine ‘before’ others is not an injustice. You meet all the criteria, and I feel it would be unjust if you didn’t get it,” another said.

“If there is a group of people not getting it because of systematic oppression, negligence or lack of understanding, then fight for them,” she continued.

“But I would encourage you to find another way to do that. I am not sure that declining the vaccine for yourself is the best way to wage that fight right now.”

My wife heartily agreed.

Sadly, this proved to be a moot point as eager citizens — many of them ineligible to receive the vaccine at this time — overwhelmed the phone lines for a chance to get in on the first batch. One qualified worker had four phones waiting for hours before one was answered and the registration completed.

I gave it a try, but 20 minutes of listening to sprightly piano music while on hold was enough for me.

Next batch, eh?

Doug Koop is a spiritual health practitioner and freelance writer.

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