Episode #70 Get The Vaccine

Seven Problems

• Although in varying degrees, it is undeniable that every single human being has been impacted by COVID-19.
• At the time of this recording, over 100 million people worldwide have been infected by COVID-19, and at least 2 million have died as a result.
• As many of 15% of individuals infected with COVID-19 require hospitalization, as many as 5% of individuals require transfer to an intensive care unit, and as many as 2% die.
• Many people who recover from COVID-19 have persistent and life-altering symptoms, even among young and previously healthy individuals.
• We often confuse an attitude of distrust for a devotion to critical thinking.
• Medical professionals in the United States have historically provided lower quality care to patients of color, and inequities in health delivery and outcomes still exist today.
• Conspiracy theories may develop when we misunderstand evidence or make inaccurate assumptions about the quality of evidence.

Twelve Principles

• The COVID-19 pandemic is not forever, and in fact, it is coming to a close.
• Widespread vaccination has eradicated diseases that were previously prevalent across the world.
• The COVID-19 vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines ever developed.
• The vast majority of individuals who receive the COVID-19 vaccine have minor side effects like a sore arm, achiness, tiredness, or a fever.
• We are about 1000 times more likely to die from a COVID-19 infection than we are to have a severe allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Although the long-term effects of the COVID-19 vaccine have not been fully evaluated, these sorts of effects are incredibly rare with vaccines of any kind due to the way that vaccines work.
• There is no evidence to support any negative impact of the COVID-19 vaccine on fertility.
• The COVID-19 vaccine was developed so quickly not because corners were cut but because red tape was cut.
• The mechanism of the COVID-19 vaccine is new but not unknown, as research surrounding mRNA vaccines have been ongoing for over a decade.
• The COVID-19 vaccine does not contain any amount of the COVID-19 virus.
• The development of an immune response to vaccine components is far more natural than artificial.
• There is some emerging evidence that both the Pfizer and Moderna formulations of the COVID-19 vaccine may lessen disease severity, prevent asymptomatic infection, and even possibly reduce COVID-19 transmission.

Seven Reasons We Distrust Science

• Confusing terminology
• Changing recommendations
• Conflicting evidence
• Celebration of skepticism
• Conclusions reached
• Controlled by emotions
• Concerning realities

Five Vaccine Best-Practices

• Consider the personal benefits of trusting medical providers today, even if you have been hurt or neglected by medical providers in the past.
• Investigate strong evidence more closely than you investigate weak evidence.
• Even after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, continue to social distance and wear a mask around people outside of your household until official guidelines and evidence-based recommendations change.
• When you cannot confidently answer a question, defer until you have more evidence rather than making an uneducated guess.
• If you have any concerns or questions about whether you should receive the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your doctor or other primary care provider.