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Issues Surrounding Covid-19 Vaccines Refusal

For this particular assignment, I have decided to research the factors surrounding the slow uptake of approved covid-19 vaccines, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom regions. I have chosen this topic because I have heard people say all sorts of things about the vaccine and my worry is the misinformation that surrounds the vaccines. I feel that the reason most eligible people are reluctant to get the approved covid-19 jabs is because they are not well informed about the facts making them afraid of getting the vaccine. Additionally, on social media, people have resulted to spreading unfounded rumors about the vaccine which is impacting negatively on the uptake of vaccines.

The New York Times, article titled “Bidden is Right: Vaccine Refusal ‘Has Cost All of Us’ is an opinion piece that follows the move by President Bidden to require all health care workers, federal contractors and executive branch employees to get vaccinated. The President ordered more strict vaccine rules saying that the government has been patient but the patience is wearing thin. The article maintains that the refusal of a section of the American population has refused to take up the vaccine and this move has repercussions for the entire society. The article opines that vaccine resistors speak on violation of freedoms but they forget that nobody lives in a bubble and their decisions not to take the vaccine infringes on the people’s freedom to move around, visit family and friends, and staying alive. Thus far, about two-thirds of the American workforce has done their part in curtailing the effects of the even more contagious Delta variant that continues to claim the lives of 1,500 people in the United States (Thacker, 5). The article also stresses that the tens of millions of people that have not been vaccinated are the reason the deadly virus will keep spreading thus people at risk of infection.

Further, BBC’s titled, “Why Some People Don’t Want a Covid-19 Vaccine” explores how social media is causing more harm than good when it comes to spreading news about the vaccine. The United Kingdom-based article notes that a significant number of people are hesitant to get the vaccine with the International Monetary Fund estimating that 10-20% of the UK population is unvaccinated (Robson, 3). The text noted that the topic has transformed into a culture war with online commentators deeming the vaccine resistors as selfish and ignorant. According to psychologists factors including convenience, confidence, complacency, collective responsibility and calculation are the main factors influencing the people’s decision to take the vaccine.

As regards the relationship between the two articles, they share a lot in common. Both articles are similar in the sense that they address the underlying issues that prevent eligible people from getting the vaccines. They dissect the misconceptions that are rife about the vaccines in the hope of convincing people to go get vaccinated. The two articles support each other and do not contradict each other in any way. Both articles opine that vaccines were not only approved in time but are also safe and highly effective against covid-19 and particularly the most contagious Delta variant. They also agree on the fact that vaccines are not only saving lives but are our last hope if we want to fully re-open the economy. The BBC article also expounds on an issue mentioned in the New York Times article; the high transmissibility of the Delta variant.

When it comes to the topic of the uptake of covid-19 vaccines, one question comes to mind. The research question I would propose in line with this topic has to do with free will. Where do we draw the line about what laws give people limited choices about taking vaccines? However much vaccines are our only hope in saving lives, there is a need to leave people with an option to decide if they want to get the jab or not. Taking the order by President bidden to require all health care workers and executive employees to get the vaccine, the move might be crucial in saving lives, but is it morally right? Doing so infringes on their rights and people must be given the free will to decide if and when they want to take the vaccine.

Works Cited

Robson, D. (2021). Why some people don’t want a Covid-19 vaccine. Retrieved 16 September 2021, from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210720-the-complexities-of-vaccine-hesitancyThacker, K. (2021). Opinion | Biden Is Right: Vaccine Refusal ‘Has Cost All of Us’. Retrieved 16 September 2021, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/10/opinion/biden-covid-vaccine.html