I am going to share my personal thoughts regarding the COVID vaccines. At the outset I want to make it clear that I am not making an argument for or against being vaccinated. I think each person should make whatever decisions they deem necessary about their personal health. What follows are just my personal thoughts on vaccines at the intersection of reason and faith.
Generally speaking, I am not for or against being vaccinated. Over the years I have gotten the flu vaccine sporadically. I have had the flu a couple of times in my life and those times rank very near the worst I have ever felt and still survived. But I have been ambivalent getting a yearly flu vaccine because my thoughts waver between not wanting to get the flu again and questioning the efficacy of flu vaccines.
I am not opposed to the advances made by medical science. I believe the strides that have been made are an example of God’s common grace to alleviate human sickness and suffering, but my confidence is not in medical science alone.
This pandemic has been politicized more than many other diseases that statistically speaking are more deadly. This has been accomplished with the help of a very biased and liberal news media to the point I do not know what to believe exactly about this pandemic. I read conflicting reports by supposed experts daily.
Based on news accounts medical science cannot guarantee the COVID vaccines will prevent contracting the disease or lessen the severity of the disease’s impact. That is what is hoped, but there are reports of some who have been vaccinated and still contracted COVID and died from the virus.
Medical science cannot guarantee there will be no serious side effects to the vaccines, nor long term complications as a result of being vaccinated. Stories are emerging about the side effects that are raising concerns over the vaccines and the vetting process that was fast-tracked.
Now we are being told we will need booster shots. The pressure from politicians, celebrities and the press to get vaccinated seems to be fueled more by hysteria than science.
I am 69, five years ago I had a brain stem stroke, and I am diabetic. Last year I had COVID and my natural immunity produced the antibodies to get well. I think my natural antibodies are better than any antibodies produced by a vaccine. So, I decided not to get vaccinated.
I do not think I am immune from getting COVID again or my experience will be the same as before, but I am not afraid. Solomon advised, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding,” Proverbs 3:5.
There is much about this pandemic I am confused about, but I had rather trust God than journalists, politicians, or celebrities when it comes to my health, and I am ready to live and, if necessary, die by that decision.
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