Hi, my name is Antonia. How are you? I’m good, thank you. Am I vaccinated? Let me double check. I didn’t mean double-vaxxed. I’ve already said too much, haven’t I?
I didn’t realise this was a socially acceptable question nowadays. Prior to covid, no one cared about your vaccination status, apart from your GP. Pro or anti-vaxxer, you’d only find out if you knew someone well down the line, or you could come to an informed conclusion loosely based on one’s beliefs and/or political leaning.
But never did I think it’d become a non-negotiable conversation starter. If that’s socially acceptable, surely nothing in my medical history should be off the table. I’ll print off copies or condense it into a nifty QR code to add onto my business card. Contactless even?
It’s absurd. Judgement, entitlement and has reached an all time high. There’s being selective and there’s being farcical. You would’ve revise every drug or chemical that’s ever potentially harmed a strangers immune system, as it’s simply impossible and a bit obsessive. So what makes you think that solely a Covid-19 vaccine, accurately depicts and summarises your health, morality and let’s face it, fertility?
I’ve heard some unvaccinated people not wishing to date or even be in the same room as a vaccinated individual due to their fixation on vaccine shedding, almost treating vaccinated people as a diseased species at risk of contaminating you – the unvaccinated.
Boundaries. There are none nowadays. But the disclosure of your private medical history upon introductory is what I’d consider as rude. There are social cues and expectations. And this independent prejudged god complex, is more common in religious circles where views and beliefs are set in stone. The disconnect in the art of how to converse is highlighted on subjects like these.
We’re all entitled to behold our own views. But if I exercise my agenda on others, before even acknowledging how they choose to lead their private medical life and treat them accordingly, I’m superseding common practices to fulfil my own outlook. The arrogance is evident in how I portray my own interests as more significant to theirs. When did we become so selfish?
Life is unfortunately not a black and white checklist. It’d be easier if it were, trust me I agree. It’d be an ideal world, but not a real world. And most importantly, not this world. We have games specialised to appease our hunger of an idealistic simulated reality, like sims. It’s enjoyable as we’re in control, it fits the script no questions asked.
But life isn’t a one way street, you have to give way sometimes, to get to your desired destination.
There are many wars, disputes and conflict in the world, instead of partaking in only a win loss mentality, why not be open to respecting differences and seeing the good instead of fixating on disparities. Being at loggerheads is ever so tedious and tiring!
Respecting others and living life in harmony isn’t so divisive as exercising control without limitation.
What do you think? Have you experienced vaccination bias? Does COVID still affect you and/or your family? Comment below to share your thoughts!
Beauty File 
Covid is still active. I have friends down with it right now. While it may not be as deadly as it was, it still takes its toll on older individuals. I have friends with Long Covid whose lives have been permanently changed by the insidious virus. Vaccination bias? Not me. I’ve had 8 shots, 2 original ones and 6 boosters. I haven’t been sick, but I do avoid large gatherings. I haven’t been sick, had no side effects and I’ll continue to get my flu shot and whatever vaccines the medical authorities advise. If the anti vaxers want to avoid me, I’m okay with that. My life and health are more important to me than their beliefs.
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I’m so sorry to hear this. So many are still suffering from the effects of covid and it’s far from over due to the impact it continues to have and will do for the unforeseeable. The long term effects of covid and the extent we’re sadly still learning about due to lack of research and knowledge but I hope in time there’ll be ways of managing these devastating long term effects and possibly even a cure.
Most definitely. We’ve all been scarred in a way from covid, large gatherings and even being next to someone coughing you automatically become slightly uneasy due to the unknown that we’ve experienced first handedly not too long ago. I don’t think it’s something generations that’ve lived through the pandemic will ever forget about, or even forgive. And it’s impossible to ignore the severity of the damage when we’ve all experienced loss in such close proximity.
Vaccination bias is simply unimaginable as it’s a choice we’ve all had to make for not only ourselves but everyone else around us. Respect and understanding is key for all, covid has already caused so much division, some people still actively opt to engage in clear division causing more discomfort and upset for others.
I really hope your friends get better very soon, they’re in my prayers and well wishes and wishing you good continuous good health also.🙏
Thankyou ever so much for sharing your story and insight, Susanne.🙏🤍
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You’re welcome. Sadly, the fear and distrust will go on for years to come .
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Well said!…; -)
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Thankyouu so much, Liam!🙏🤍
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OMG this is still going on and is getting worse. our region just recently was advised that measles had returned, and advice was given to make sure our vaccinations are up to date, as well as out kids..and another war starts….there are people that refuse to let their kids me vaccinated period against anything….which is odd because about 10 years ago there was a wave of meningitis was rolling through this province, one of my friends came close to dying, it was just luck that he was found unconscious, he ended up having to have both his legs amputated…parents were lining up to make sure their children vaccinated because they did want their kids to die, now, would they all do that? I don’t know if social media is the problem, or newspaper columnists, but society seems to be going backward. and yes, I know my comment will generate a ton more
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Yes I’ve heard this regarding measles too, it’s quite worrying the dangers these illnesses continue to cause. We don’t often hear or have first hand knowledge of how much these diseases can change your life due to vaccinations limiting the severity and cases.
That’s so sad, I’m so sorry to hear what your friend has gone through to fight meningitis and just how much it can change your life. Many more need to acknowledge the impact these infections continue to have. No vaccination is 100% effective, but it really can limit the spread and save lives.
Unfortunately some in society only think of their own lives and not those around them. It’s about the bigger picture, not only caring about ourselves but others. That shouldn’t have to be taught but unfortunately we need to educate more scientifically than ill-informed ideologies that spread virally on platforms online / media.
Social media unfortunately has a lot to answer for, good and bad. The influence that has is limitless and life-changing, as we’ve experienced all too well. Misinformation is far too easy to share, if only we could save lives just as easily.
Thankyouu so much for sharing such an honest, insightful and touching story, Warren. Sending prayers and well wishes to your friend🙏🤍
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Covid is still an issue, depending on one’s views and health-related concerns. For me the bigger issue is how the division of pro- and anti-vax has become a symbol and insinuated itself into society as a jumping-off point to argue with strangers online on any polarizing issue (e.g., Twitter/x).
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100%. Precisely said. It’s far too easy to spread misinformation on social media platforms whilst infectious diseases continue to significantly impact communities. We shouldn’t have to wait until it affects our loved ones for us to believe and realise just how much it could change our lives. It’s too late then.
Online viral ideologies can be just as deadly as physical infections.
Thankyouu so much for your accurate insight, Steve!🙏🤍
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My pleasure, Antonia, and thank you for your thoughtful and thought provoking post. 🙏🏼
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Nobody has come at me about this subject which is great, but I am fully vaxxed and have every booster to date and I have had zero bad reactions to the vaccine.
My 96 year old dad has all the vaccines up to date and has had zero reactions. I see the people who refuse the vaccine as a problem as they may be more likely to help spread this terrible virus. Just my two cents, Antonia. Happy Monday!
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I’m so glad to hear, John! Adverse reactions are a terrible risk and that in both yours and your father’s cases the benefits outweighed the risks. 96 years old, aww simply incredible!
You’re right, we really don’t want to spread this awful virus which is capable of causing such damage.
Thankyouu so much for sharing your insight, John!! Wishing you a happy Tuesday, hope you and your father are keeping well and in good health!🙏🤍
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Thank you for your well wishes, Antonia! ❤️🙏🏻
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I think we all assess our own level of risk tolerance and while I understand everyone has a right to set their own level of tolerance, I will continue to be careful in the presence of this disease. Many (vaxxed and unvaxxed) assume all is now back to normal. It is not. Like with my DPT, MMR and flu shots, I will keep my vaccinations up to date, I will be cautious in crowded setting and mask when I feel it is necessary (airports, planes and transit). When this season’s version of the COVID and flu vaccines come out, I will get them. I have not yet had Covid and since starting to get my annual flu shot in 2013, I have not had the flu. I also have not had any reactions to the shots, other than low grade fever and a few aches and pains. On a recent trip by plane and transit, we were among the very few wearing masks and while I am sure a few thought we were crazy, they just accepted it. That is good. The plane was full of coughing, sneezing people on our return and I was glad for my mask, whether these folks had Covid, a simple cold or ??? Cheers.
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