Jab or No Jab – That is the Question

SEM and I have now had our Covid Booster and Flu Jab’s and has been the case with all my recent vaccinations, they have been event free except for a slightly sore arm for a day or two with the Covid boosters.

Her indoors had previously had some headaches etc with Covid Vaccinations, but this time all was fine, would you believe it though, she had some mild flu symptoms following the Flu Jab.

This beggars the question why anyone wouldn’t consider having vaccinations when they are offered.

The World of Medical Science and the Pharmaceutical Industry are striving to keep the world a healthy place, governments want a healthy society, we all want to be fit and strong.

The advances made in my lifetime alone have been quite mind blowing and have eliminated may diseases and assisting in treating many ongoing issues, not least cancer and malaria.

The scientists in record breaking time produced vaccines to counter the effects of a Covid-19 that for a time crippled the world and threatened to destroy our accepted way of life.

But why get vaccinated? I recall in the late 70’s just after we got married when I was seconded to work in the Middle East, the Company MO and the local GP gave the innocent young sap the advice on the vaccinations required.

This included, Yellow Feaver; Cholera and Small Pox which had not quite been fully eradicated worldwide at the time.

Over a period of a few weeks I had the jabs and all was fine, except for the Cholera jab, blimey was I bad, I had never had a fever like it, I was really rough and delirious, but I was fine in a couple of days and that episode made me realise, that suffering some symptoms for a short period was worth it to get the necessary protection against such a deadly disease.

My trips to the Middle East, you’ll be pleased to know, as a result of my vaccinations were medically uneventful, except for a case of Heat Stroke, but that was my own fault and the story for another day…..

When we were finally blessed with our wonderful kids, albeit all born very prematurely, it never crossed our minds not to vaccinate the most precious things in our life, it was the only realistic thing to do. It kept them save and others like them save.

While fortunately we all have the right to choose, I have no time whatsoever for parents who chose not to take the advice of the medical experts, they have no hidden agenda, they just want to help babies, children, and the future population.

I recently met DR a work colleague, who has been off sick with Covid for over 4 weeks, he still looked poorly and not back to normal, he told me that he had been really rough. He also confirmed he wasn’t Anti Vac and had received his jabs, so it made me consider just how bad it would have been without the benefit of vaccinations.

I know a few acquaintances and family who have also had reactions to jabs and they have been quite poorly, but usually only for a few days and some have subsequently said they wouldn’t have further Covid Jabs.

To be honest If I was young and fit and healthy, I would most probably take a similar view, I recall again when in my early 30’s when my former boss gave everyone the chance of a free flu jab on the  company, I choose not to, with no ill effects and in my 66 years I have fortunately only had Flu once, but crikey when you get it is it bad.

So, I get back to my point, Jab or No Jab. Having been offered the opportunity of a flu jab by my GP practice, as I race toward retirement, I can see its benefit, as you age your ability to fend off infections/viruses decreases, so quite sensibly I have taken up the offer.

I was also very pleased to be on the list for a Covid Booster this autumn, it has provided me with the confidence to embrace life and to also do the right thing, it not only protects me it also benefits everyone else, including you.

Jab or No Jab…… your call when all said and done……but realistically there is only one answer.