Three Reasons Why I Won’t be Getting a Vaccine
I’d like to give my body a chance to produce its own antibodies, thank you very much
My respect for the powers of the human body began when I had my daughter five years ago. I realized that it has healing abilities, and if we trust in them, they will do wonders. Yet, the doctor at the hospital was set on preventing me from experiencing the natural birth that I wanted. Even with the doctor’s interruptions, it was truly incredible how my body healed and persevered, and helped to nurture a healthy baby.
Now, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am faced with a similar situation. I want my body to have the best chance at staying strong and gaining healing powers from interaction with the world around me. Yet, there is a chance that someone in the future will make it very difficult for me to resist getting a vaccine. Again, I am faced with the possibility that I won’t have freedom to choose natural healing.
This is a very controversial and emotional subject for many. I felt that my voice must be heard because I know for a fact that it represents a lot of voices that are unheard. So, here are three reasons why I will resist getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Reason 1: The body was made to heal
I spend quite a bit of my energy on staying healthy. At home, I cook with completely organic ingredients, no processed or packaged foods, and we only eat out very rarely now. When I get cold symptoms, which is not often, I don’t go to a doctor and I allow my body to overcome whatever it is. My daughter and I are sick maybe once a year. We try to live an ayurvedic lifestyle. I am proud of the natural immune system that my body has, and that of my daughter as her body grows to be strong. What’s more amazing is that my body has the ability to quickly produce the antibodies that scientists take months and years to produce in a lab. It is truly incredible.
Yet, so many people want me to take a vaccine for something that I have a high chance of surviving, taking away my chance of developing these antibodies the natural way. I prefer naturally-made antibodies over antibodies forced into my body.
Reason 2: I have a high chance of survival
There are a lot of things in life that require taking risks. I used to be terrified of driving on a highway because of the chance I would die. But most people would think that’s an irrational fear. It probably is.
We accept risks and move on with life. My chance of dying from COVID-19 is extremely low, and in combination with reason #1 above, it seems more valuable (for myself and those around me) to keep my natural immune system at its best. The risk of hospitalization and death is not worrisome enough to me. I also don’t know the risks involved in these vaccines that are being developed. But I trust my body. I’ll gladly distance myself socially as much as possible to keep others safe, but I would like to be able to avoid vaccination.
Reason 3: Side effects
Whenever a doctor prescribes me a medicine, I view it as a mixture of chemicals and unknown substances that they want me to put into my body, which often produce side effects. Sometimes, the medicine itself is debilitating. Does it make sense for you to become sick in order to avoid being sick? If I am going to be feeling unwell, I’d rather it not be because I intentionally hurt myself.
Yet, vaccines in general often have side effects. Most vaccines in my life haven’t caused me a lot of harm. (I once fainted after getting a flu shot.) And to revisit reason #2, I will — and have — become intentionally sick with a vaccine for a short time in order to avoid more severe diseases with a high death rate.
However, I don’t think I am willing to go through the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, as I am currently reading about them. CNBC recently reported: “Dr. Sandra Fryhofer said that both Pfizer’s and Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccines require two doses and she worries whether her patients will come back for a second dose because of potentially unpleasant side effects after the first shot.” In the article it also said: “The first dose is no big deal. And then the second dose will definitely put you down for the day for sure. … You will need to take a day off after the second dose.”
It would take a big reason for me to subject myself to that. Honestly, it scares me. Sure, COVID-19 may have symptoms itself, but I’d like the freedom to experience them naturally and see how my body heals. Living life involves getting sick and taking days off work, and that is something I wholly accept.
There are not many times in our lives when we are asked to take action on our bodies, even when we don’t want to. For many of us, this is a big dilemma. There are also many reasons to be vaccinated against COVID-19. But are those reasons enough for healthy and health-conscious people to decide to interrupt their body’s natural immune system? Our bodies were made to heal. We want the chance to do so. We will not be making our decision lightly.