We asked you for your opinions about the COVID-19 booster shot. Here’s what you said
When Sara Hatcher received her first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in January, she was so excited that she used her phone to record the moment the needle pricked her arm.
“I documented it and posted it all over the place,” said Hatcher, a 22-year-old Dallas resident. “I was very excited and very proud to be the first friend of mine to get it.”
Hatcher did the same with her second dose and again when she got her booster in August.
Although she was looking forward to the vaccine, she was also a little nervous.
Last year, after contracting COVID-19, Hatcher developed heart and blood vessel disease. A vaccine could have made conditions worse, and so could the booster – but it was worth getting it in exchange for immunity.
“I had no idea how my body would react, but I knew it would be better than getting COVID again,” Hatcher said.
More than 150 readers, including Hatcher’s mother, who filed her daughter’s case, responded to the Dallas Morning News’ appeal for their opinions on booster vaccinations that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will offer to people on September 22nd 65 and older approved those who are immunocompromised.
Some readers said they had concerns about the potential side effects of the vaccine and booster, or would like to see deeper research. But most of the people who answered The News’ question expressed support for the trio of recordings.
Sara Hatcher from Dallas(Ben Torres / special article)
Before her heart and blood vessel diseases were diagnosed, Hatcher had an autoimmune disease that she placed in a high-priority group to receive the vaccine. But even if she didn’t have these autoimmune qualifiers, she said, she would still stand up for the vaccine and the booster.
“Most of the people I spoke to didn’t get the vaccine. They say it’s because they don’t know the long-term effects of the vaccine and I would agree that’s true – we don’t, ”she said. “But what we do know is the long-term effects of COVID. The evidence shows that the long-term effects of COVID are so much worse than they could be for the vaccine.
Heart problems have made the decision easy for women
After months of social distancing and maintaining her bladder, Hatcher tested positive for COVID-19 in September 2020. She had lived with her parents in Dallas and was able to isolate herself in her room shortly after contracting the virus.
Hatcher was mildly symptomatic with a 103 degree fever and cough for two days but made a quick recovery. About a month later, she developed heart problems.
“I wear an Apple Watch and I noticed that my heart rate was never below 150, which is three times what it should be,” said Hatcher. “I had an episode in December or so that made me feel kind of weird. So I went to an emergency room and they did an EKG and it was very abnormal. “
She was diagnosed with severe tachycardia and vasculitis, which means that she has an abnormally high heart rate and all of the blood vessels in her body are inflamed. Her doctors say the conditions are related to her diagnosis of COVID-19.
“It’s part of that vascular component of COVID,” Hatcher said. “It only attacks your blood vessels and causes irreversible damage.”
After the booster vaccination for immunocompromised people was approved, Hatcher received a message from her doctor. He wanted her to get the shot.
“He was worried about my heart,” she said. “If I was unlucky again and got COVID again, I don’t know what my heart would do at that point.”
Hatcher is now part of a group of “long-haul drivers” concerned with the effects of COVID. Her mother, Kathy Hatcher, said her daughter now needs to see a cardiologist every six weeks and that she has tried at least four different drugs to get her to a “good place”.
Most importantly, your life now revolves around protecting yourself and others from variation. The entire family received a booster vaccination on August 22nd.
“It was a breeze for us,” said Kathy Hatcher.
Concerns about side effects, depth of research
However, some respondents disagree. While a large majority of people who answered The News’ question said they had the first two vaccinations and were hoping to get the third, several people said they had no intention of getting any vaccinations at all.
“I am concerned about the possible side effects of the vaccine,” said Lafontaine Leffall, 31, of Arlington. “I have a family member who is in the hospital because of a side effect of the shot.
“The VAERS database contains a broad list of responses to COVID-19 vaccination,” said Leffall, referring to the adverse event reporting system operated by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine.
David Lethe, 62, of Plano said he would stay seated until more research could be done.
“I already had COVID,” said Lethe. “More mutations come because the virus corrects itself and inevitably becomes stronger, more contagious and more effective at spreading until we find something that works for everyone. It seems to me that it is best to wait a few years. “
For Plano-Mann “no question” about the safety of gunfire
William Newbill said he took extra care to stay isolated during the pandemic.
Newbill, 62, did not contract the virus and received his second dose of the Pfizer vaccine in February. When the vaccines were distributed, he was hoping to leave his home in Plano and return to the gym. But that dream eventually disappeared.
William Newbill from Plano(Lola Gomez / photographer)
“I was really looking forward to the apparent chance,” he said. “And then this delta wave. We are in this situation again, mainly because of the unvaccinated people. “
For as long as he can remember, Newbill said, he doesn’t see much social doubt that Americans are getting a vaccine. There was always a small group of people who refused to get vaccinated, but Newbill said he noticed the number had grown exponentially.
“Something has changed,” he said. “There is no question that vaccines are safe and effective and that people should be vaccinated.”
Newbill is three years too young to qualify for a booster vaccination, a major point of contention for him as he noted studies in Israel recommending vaccinations for people 60 and older.
But he won’t misrepresent his health in order to get a booster shot. Newbill said he would instead wait – as he is used to during the pandemic – for his turn and consult his doctor for next steps.
“In the meantime, I get the flu vaccine that I do every year,” he said. “But I really want both.”
After the 1st fight with COVID-19, no wish for another
Like Hatcher, David Harding contracted COVID-19 late last year. The 69-year-old Carrollton resident said his wife’s experience with the virus was “terrible”.
“We got sicker and sicker and sicker and sicker,” Harding said. “We were both sick as never before in our lives.”
Sophie and David Harding from Carrollton(Juan Figueroa / employee photographer)
Harding lost his 97-year-old father and 104-year-old stepmother after COVID-19 swept through his family. He said he was barely healthy enough to say goodbye to his father before he died.
“Five children were with him, holding his hand and singing – very badly – some of his favorite songs when he died,” he said.
Although Harding had developed antibodies to the virus, he and his wife Sophie consulted their doctor about the vaccine. Her doctor said they should get the vaccinations and subsequent booster packs as soon as possible. Harding and his wife both received Moderna vaccines.
As someone who has also had pneumonia in the past, Harding said he wanted all the layers of protection he can get. As pharmacies start giving out Moderna booster vaccinations, Harding said he had plans to get one. It is always better for him to play it safe.
“I don’t want to get COVID again,” said Harding. “I don’t know if I would survive a second time.”
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