RE: Vaccine Trials, Trust Issues & the Truth Behind the Shot

You’ve shared some truly thoughtful reflections. Not all vaccines are the same, just like not all diseases or all people are the same.

Some vaccines are what I’d call real vaccines. They provide lasting immunity against severe illnesses like polio or measles. They’ve been around for decades, they’re extremely safe, and I would never have skipped them for my kids.

Then there are vaccines that aren’t quite vaccines in the traditional sense. They don’t guarantee immunity but can reduce symptoms or prevent serious outcomes, like the flu shot. COVID vaccines fall into this second category. The issue is that they were rolled out very quickly, without the kind of long-term testing we’re used to. So I completely understand why some people have doubts.

That said, I believe it should always be a personal choice, but one that’s made with real, accessible, science-based information. And wherever a safe vaccine exists, it should be truly accessible to everyone.

I lost my brother a few months ago to brain cancer. In July 2024, I took him to a post-surgery check-up, right before starting chemo. While at the hospital, he caught COVID from a doctor. I didn’t, because I had been vaccinated for him. He couldn’t get vaccinated himself because of his condition. But COVID delayed the chemo, and he never got the chance to fight.

I’m not a huge fan of the COVID vaccine, but I took it out of respect and love for someone vulnerable. Sometimes, taking precautions isn’t just about ourselves. It’s about protecting those who can’t protect themselves.