Roundtable: Will you get one of the COVID-19 vaccines? – Galesburg Register-Mail

Polls are showing a majority of Americans intend to get one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines, but many remain skeptical. Will you get a vaccination when it becomes available?

Of course I’ll take the vaccine

Of course I’m going to take the vaccine. Anyone who doesn’t is burying his head in the sand. The real question is when will it be available to us regular folks?

I understand why healthcare workers should get it early. I thought at-risk residents in long term care facilities were supposed to receive it quickly, but they are obviously less important than our politicians. Congressional leaders are the most incompetent and pathetic among us so they moved themselves to the front of the line.

I expect some setbacks. It may not work as well as expected or there may be unforeseen side effects. This may not be the final answer but it’s at least a good step along the way.

The inoculations are a necessary inconvenience but the oppressive restrictions of our freedoms are intolerable, and I will vigorously resist any efforts to extend them one minute longer than necessary. — Harry Bulkeley

Will wait until others have had it

While I am planning on getting the COVID-19 vaccine, I am in no particular rush to get it, and it’s not because I’m skeptical. I’m healthy, I’m young, and I don’t come in contact with many people who are at-risk; I’d feel selfish if I were to receive the vaccine within the next six months. We don’t know how long the vaccines will be effective for, so even if the general public is allowed to get them in the spring, that opens up the risk of there not being enough for front line workers in the event that they need more than two doses. Because of that, I will not be getting the COVID-19 vaccine until I know that the United States has a surplus. I don’t want to feel like I took the vaccine from someone who desperately needed it. — Meghan Harms

I trust science behind these vaccines

As an elected official, I neither expect nor do I want to get a COVID-19 vaccination ahead of healthcare workers, first responders or residents in long-term care facilities. It’s offensive that members of Congress, who openly mocked mask-wearing and perpetuated conspiracy theories about the pandemic, are exerting a level of privilege by becoming the first recipients to receive their shots. Unfortunately, there’s ongoing misinformation from local leaders in our community who claim they’re advocating herd immunity but are actually promoting a form of social Darwinism.

There are justified concerns on how the vaccinations are going to be distributed to underserved communities. Some Black Americans have genuine fears and skepticism about vaccines because of experiments like the Tuskegee Study. Minorities, in general, have less trust in the healthcare system. However, I do trust the science that went into developing and testing these vaccines. As hospitals and nursing homes continue to battle the spread of this disease, higher risk individuals should be at the front of the line to receive their shots. — John Hunigan

Without a doubt will take vaccine

Absolutely, I would take the vaccine and would not give a thought or doubt about its effectiveness! I asked a nurse in Peoria if she had hers yet and she replied she doesn’t intend to get one because she doesn’t trust the government. They had a doctor from the Mayo clinic on one of the TV networks and the reporter asked him if the medical people at the clinic were getting it and he said only 85% said they would. I cannot believe the alternative if people don’t get one of the vaccines, not only they possibly could contract the virus but they will continue to spread it. Already the COVID-19 virus is mutating and no one can be sure how often we’ll have to get the vaccine or how often it will have to be updated. Sometimes I sit back and ask myself, have common sense left a major part of humanity or are people just ignorant! — Dale Smith

Will get vaccine, but with misgivings

Yes, but with misgivings. I am 80, have bad lungs, and am allergic to everything, but since we live comfortably in isolation, I don’t feel a great urgency to get a shot. Already medical and nursing home needs are being addressed — as was appropriate. There are others who are more exposed, for whom immunization would be a greater benefit to themselves, their families, and those they must interact with.

In Monmouth I think the meat packers should be a high priority. Although I have not been in the plant in some time, I remember it as heavy work under difficult conditions. Next, perhaps, the teachers, because we must get the schools reopened. The damage done to youngsters by losing a year of in-person instruction cannot be yet calculated.

That said, will I just pass when called? I got my flu shot. My family will probably insist on this one, too. — William Urban

I will get the shot later based on risk

Well based on my place in the waiting line, I will get the shot later based on who should be vaccinated before myself. I would refer readers to the Illinois vaccination plan via the Illinois Department of Health. I would guess, based on availability and prioritization, I won’t see that needle till March? April? It all depends on various factors. What I find most disturbing is the COVID vaccine scams out there. Again, refer to the FCC, AARP, FBI, etc. sites and educate yourself about the miscreants trying to capitalize on the pandemic. I also noted via REAL science that there are at least 7 variants of the virus and the latest in England is the most recent discovery. The science again says that the current vaccines should handle this variant as well. The only other thing that makes this an interesting community roundtable topic is all the banter about the vaccine on The Register Mail Facebook site. The scramble for the “truth” to substantiate the various claims by many has taken some down the dark hole of crazy. — Stephen Podwojski

I am a skeptic and will wait

I hesitated to answer the question this week. It’s not that I don’t have an opinion; I have an opinion on almost any subject. I hesitate because this is essentially a medical/health related question. Writers for the Community Roundtable can have an influence on the readers. I am not a doctor, do not have extensive medical knowledge and am not qualified to advise on a medical issue. I want every reader to do the due diligence, do the appropriate research and make up his/her own mind; don’t just take someone’s OPINION, not even mine, on this important subject.

I probably won’t get the vaccine. I AM one of the skeptics. My understanding is that both vaccines that have been released (so far) will require two doses. I will wait and see what the longer range outcomes are from those who are the early recipients, especially after they have their second dose. — Charlie Gruner

Yes, though it won’t be for months

Yes, definitely, though I am not expecting to get to the front of the line for several months. According to the CDC, I’m still a youngster! I am confident that the proportion of Americans who will be willing to take one of the vaccines will grow steadily over time, assuming there are no serious side-effects and the efficacy remains as high as reported. It’s reasonable to assume that, as with any new product, a sizeable proportion of the public will be “late adopters” who will wait to see what happens during the initial roll-out. The die-hard antivaxxers will remain a relatively small minority, although they — and other trouble-makers — will undoubtedly flood social media with fabricated horror-stories. I still believe most people can tell the difference between reality and paranoid fantasy, though the last four years have weakened my confidence a fair bit.  — David Amor

I’m against this vaccine; I’ll wait

I’m not against vaccines but I’m against this vaccine. There’s too many red flags. Neither companies nor the government are responsible for the side effects. People have already passed out and a hospital had to pause administering vaccines because a few people passed out shortly after. How does mRNA affect us and our DNA? I’ve heard this referred to as mRNA bio technology. Technology? 

Also, I don’t care if they said there has been studies. How many years have trials on humans been taking place? COVID has been around, but this seems rushed.

Last time I got a vaccine was during the swine flu pandemic. Guess who got the swine flu and felt like death? Me! Until they have more concrete evidence, I can’t help but think this is like the Tuskegee Experiment. You hear rumors and conspiracy theories and don’t know what to believe. I’ll sit back and wait. — Courtney Wallace

Yes, when it’s my turn for the vaccine

Operation Warp Speed seems so far to have been remarkably successful, and for that the current administration, researchers, scientists and pharmaceutical companies deserve real credit and our thanks. I expect most of us share my admiration for logistics chief General Gustave Perna, who answered questions about the confusion in amounts shipped to the states by saying “It was my fault – no one else’s”. It’s a sad comment on our times that acceptance of responsibility is a marvel to behold, but it was.

Because of the complications of super cold storage, I hope rural areas will be sent the Moderna vaccine, which can be safely stored in regular freezers, which are more available and capable of repair and maintenance here. Having needed to go to the dentist recently, I’m amazed that they’re not already near the top of the “who gets it first” lists. And yes, when it’s my turn I will willingly, and with relief, be vaccinated. — Laurie Muelder

The Community Roundtable runs each Friday and is made up of local writers. Community writers answer one question each week in 150 words or fewer.

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