To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is the question.

I just talked to my neighbor who's a veteran got vaccinated through the VA. That's not anywhere in the news. I don't know if it's just in California.

Hi @danab,

Trust is very important. For me, trust, especially in the health care arena comes through science. In my opinion, some of the best minds in medical science are saying that the vaccine is certainly worth its use. That is why I have gotten my first vaccine and will be getting the second next week. I prefer to trust the empirical evidence of science than any other theories.

Most of us owe our lives today to medical science. We've taken the risks to get a transplant, cancer treatments or other types of medical care. We do this because we trust medical science and feel we need the help that it offers us in order to live a more full and healthy life.

However, remember, that this pandemic is new. There will be mistakes.

We can take the risk of not being vaccinated and perhaps getting ill with COVID. Or we can get the vaccine and take the risk of perhaps ending up with unexpected side-effects and maybe even still get COVID. The matter of how much risk we are willing to take is an important individual consideration.

I don't believe it is a good idea to make blanket statements as to the right or wrong approach to take. It definitely is an individual choice.

@hopeful33250 Exactly and that's also my point. Watch the video these are true doctors with many years of experience with science behind them. The title is a bit misleading it's not about anti vaccine but the fact they were not take seriously because what there findings are were not being peer reviewed. Let's look at the facts . The studies those doctors quoted back as early as April 2020 and then again in June, augest and December we're not addressed. Watch the video very eye oping as too what my concern is. One of the founding princeaples of the Mayo Brothers when they first began was research, listening to other doctors around the world and even traveling to many countries. There is a great Documentary Mayo put out in the early days. As a matter of fact Mask wearing by doctors was an French idea and Mayo had seen there research and adopted it also.
So back to the video it took these doctors to plead with the Senators to at least try and get these repurposing drugs approved by CDC and Nih but because it wasn't a money maker it was ignored. A few other countries have already approved them for use with Covid. I found out lots of great insight as to why most doctors will not fight the big boys of Medicine it can be a career ender. So except for a few articles and this Senate hearing we are not being informed of these other options that have successfully been used in trials around the world. So just like I'm hearing here also we are so programmed to only listen to certain sources like CDC or Nih that how can we be sure what we are hearing is in fact truth. I don't nessessarly fault Mayo but there founding princeaples was to look outside the box. So when I keep hearing according to Fauchi or the CDC etc. It raises an eyebrow why haven't I heard anything about what I heard in the video by experts on mainstream media. So even during the meeting doctors can't get funding for larger trials because it's not profitable. You can tell they are fustrated as to there ability to use known science . So please watch the video and I'm personally going to raise these questions at a webnair Phoenix is having in a couple of weeks.

I agree, would should hear all sides. There shouldn't be the censorship of opposing professional advice from Doctors. It is scary to live in this current counter culture. I am watching and waiting to see if I should move forward with the vaccination. For now I am going to wait.

@livertrex- Don't you think that science should be the main factor in determining good medical practices? There are a lot of quacks out there.

Who's science? Only the science they want us to hear.

Wow! This was once a site I could go to to connect with people who shared common issues with medical problems. Apparently it has now been itself infected with a different virus. One that turned Facebook and Twitter into the problems they are. In the end we should act on medical advice we trust and trust is not a feeling you have about established medical science or alternative therapies. Trust should be measure by four factors: Credibility. Does the person or organization know what they are talking about? Reliability: Do they make and keep promises? Intimacy: Can the individual or organization see things from your perspective/ walk a mile in your shoes/understand you as an individual. Lastly, a low self orientation. Is the person or organization advocating for you or for themselves. Who stands to benefit/follow the money. With those in mind I have put my trust in Mayo because they have never failed me yet. (I also trust a reasonable rate of return.)
Best always,
s!

You are right. I just get so frustrated, I hear one thing and the next day another from the experts at the CDC. The science is in complete flux. My decision to get a transplant was easier than the decision to get the vaccination. However, Mayo has always looked out for my best interest.

It always comes down to "consider the source". If you believe anything that is put out there as truth, you will feel constantly muddled and confused. Who do you trust? That is the decision.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts on this evolving topic. We are seeing evidence-based science working in real time. When reviewing information, especially on the Internet be sure to check for:
- Currency: Check the date. As we live with this virus, we continue to learn. Make sure the data and evidence is recent.
- Reliability: Is the information from qualified professional health institution or professional.

You can read more about evaluating information on the Internet from the international HONcode principles: https://www.hon.ch/cgi-bin/HONcode/principles.pl?English

Mayo Clinic is publishing reliable, evidence-based information as soon as it becomes available. You can find regularly updated information in these places:
- Mayo Clinic COVID website: https://www.mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-covid-19
- Mayo Clinic News Network COVID information https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/category/covid-19/
- Mayo Clinic Q&A videos with Mayo experts https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/podcasts/ You can also submit your questions in the comments.