COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy persists four years into pandemic
VAN BUREN, Ark (KNWA/KFTA) — As the world marks the fourth anniversary of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, several reports have shown that people are hesitant about receiving the updated vaccine.
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that less than 14% of children and 23% of adults in the United States have received the updated vaccine.
KNWA/FOX24 spoke with a Van Buren resident Nate Craig, a 22-year-old Army veteran, who shed light on the hesitancy surrounding COVID-19 vaccination.
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Craig vividly recalls the initial days of the pandemic when he was stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas. The sudden lockdown caught him off guard, but he and his wife “initially underestimated the severity, expecting a swift return to normalcy.”
Even as vaccinations became more common, Craig hesitated to get vaccinated until it became mandatory.
“The Army didn’t give me a choice. They put the order out saying that we have to get vaccinated. And I said, ‘Roger that,'” he stated.
However, Craig’s decision to vaccinate came with unforeseen consequences. Two days after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, he suffered a stroke, this could’ve potentially been an extremely rare side effect.
Craig suffered cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. This event caused him to have to medically retire from the Army and remain on blood thinners due to blood clots in his brain, he said.
The CDC had recommended a temporary pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in 2021 after six women experienced cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, a serious type of stroke. Despite this, the C.D.C still suggests C.V.S.T as an extremely rare side effect.
“After what happened to me, I will not allow my kids to be vaccinated, it’s just not worth the risk”, Craig admitted.
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To gain insights into the perceived risks of vaccination, KNWA/FOX 24 spoke with Dr. Steve Brown of Mercy Virtual Care. Dr. Brown emphasized the vaccine’s role in developing the body’s immune response, stating, “If you don’t get vaccinated, these viruses are coming for you, and you can get very sick if you’re particularly in a high-risk group.” Brown continued by stating that he sees patients who are vaccinated, do not suffer as badly from severe symptoms.
To know what is best for you and your family, contact your local pharmacy or family physician.
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