The Shot Heard Half-Way Around the World

The power of the word is not to be taken lightly; I veered away from this axiom, but now it feels like a vulture circling above me. I must address the beast or be devoured by it. 
 
We, humankind, now face a challenge that stirs many emotions at the mere mention of its name. COVID and it's little, more lethal sibling, Delta Variant, are here, and we have a viable defense against it. But the use of the written and spoken word has created such doubt that soon the viral beast will be atop the food chain. Perhaps this is the way it has always been. Maybe history has it wrong and the dinosaurs fell victim to a similar tiny monster. Either way, we must fight back to preserve the human race.
 
The growing vaccination conflict is often compared to the war against seatbelt laws; it’s not the same. If you didn’t wear a seatbelt, you would only hurt yourself. Not getting vaccinated puts everyone in danger. 
 
Vaccines have been questioned since they were first introduced in 1798 (smallpox vaccine). They were perceived as witchcraft or the devil's work, yet they still are used today to protect people worldwide. 
 
Why is this vaccine different? 
 
Here are only some theories that seem to make the distinction.
 

• We were told it’s a new mRNA type 
• People die from the vaccine.
• The vaccine is not necessary.
• Tracking technology has been placed in the vaccine.

 
Let’s look at each one of these points. Edward Jenner’s smallpox vaccine was given to ONE thirteen-year-old boy to show immunity against the virus. It is the mainstream treatment against smallpox. The vaccine was met with fear and condemnation for many reasons, but as word spread that a “cure” for the ravenous disease was available, doctors used it without question, and patients accepted it. In total “transparency”, we were told that the COVID vaccine was new and something never tried before. This scared a great many people. There have been many medical breakthroughs in the last decade alone; why is the advent of an mRNA life-saving vaccine so different? The answer is simple. The world has grown smaller and information is at our fingertips and is shared over platforms that are not consistent in distinguishing opinion from fact. This can lead to misinterpretation and increase fear of the unknown,
 
While the death of patients injected with vaccines has occurred throughout history, the numbers are minuscule compared to the overall benefit. Usually, they involve unknown allergies to agents within the vaccine, contamination, or other health factors. This theory is like citing the dangers of dying while flying in an airplane.
 
The notion that the COVID vaccine doesn’t really work is based on a certain number of people who recover from the illness without the vaccination. In statistical data, there will be outliers; those who do not conform to the results of the information being compiled. They are the few and far between. The real question is, do you want to take the chance that you are an outlier and don’t need the vaccine?
 
I add the last bullet to show the true power of words. I have been unable to find credible evidence linking tracking devices to the vaccine. That’s what cell phones are for… (just a bit of conspiracy humor). 
 
All vaccines have been met with fear and negative propaganda, but none have been so derided as the current one. There have been numerous pro and anti-vax articles published in the last year. I urge you to read those posted by reputable sources before making a choice. 
 
Here is a final thought. The Delta variant is a more efficient killer, similar to chickenpox before we could control it. As the COVID virus (Delta variant) continues to thrive, it will continue to mutate. The next variant, let’s call it Epsilon, might be resistant to the current vaccine and more contagious or deadly than Delta. Do we want to take that chance?
 
For the history buffs: This is the shot heard only halfway around the world. Put down the pen, stop the words and get the vaccine, please.

Additional sources:
https://www.immune.org.nz/vaccines/vaccine-development/brief-history-vaccination

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/28/opinion/vaccine-hesitancy-smallpox.html

https://www.wpr.org/surprisingly-controversial-history-seat-belts