A Case for Getting Vaccinated Before the Holidays

Last Christmas, COVID-19 concerns were higher than ever. Experts warned the nation about the harm that could come from large holiday gatherings, echoing many of the sentiments that are still being conveyed today.

We’re preparing for another holiday season as we speak, and knowing that my dad is at a higher risk of becoming hospitalized if he gets the virus, I worry about going home.

He’s fully vaccinated and he intends to get the booster shot when it becomes available. But he isn’t entirely removed from risk – nor am I from carrying it.

Conflict among family

When I come home, I’m always greeted by my dad’s soft-hearted smile. And it doesn’t take long to feel welcomed. But what breaks my heart is that society’s perception about the vaccine is preventing him from feeling at home in the world at large.

Parkinson’s is already an alienating disease. And those who are choosing to go unvaccinated are making it even more difficult for people like my dad to exist freely in the world.

There has been a lot of conflict even among my immediate family members about whether or not one should get vaccinated. For a while, some people argued that the lack of FDA approval was preventing them from taking the leap. Others mentioned that they worry about the virus’s impact on fertility.

But I’ve consistently hoped that we might join together to protect those who are at risk – like my dad.

The benefits of community

Lower transmission rates mean that there will be lower risks associated with my dad and additional Parkinson’s patients being out in the community. And how can we expect those we love to stay at home for our convenience?

Costa Rica is home to a blue region – an area where life expectancy is substantially higher than the global life expectancy.¹

After researches spent some time evaluating why the population lives to be older, it was determined that the "plan de vida," or attitude that the older generation has about living kept them motivated.¹

A piece of that plan relates to their support network and general community. If we remove our elderly or sick population from those communities, is it safe to say that life expectancy might decline too?¹

Protecting those at risk

I know that many people are still worried about the long-term implications of getting vaccinated. But I wish it were easier to communicate how urgent it is for people with Parkinson's to remain insulated and protected by those they love. If I choose not to get vaccinated, I could contribute to a spiral of events that may harm or even kill my dad.

Some people are lucky enough to not have to face illnesses and degenerative diseases on a daily basis. But many people are not so fortunate, and it’s for these people that we must come together to protect those who are in the higher risk category.

Coming together

Is it better to face distant complications from a vaccine that’s FDA approved, enabling "at risk" humans to interact with their communities again? Or to shy away from a vaccine, stuffing our empathetic selves into a deep corner until it’s safe to come out again?

I realize that there are a great number of reasons why one might choose to get vaccinated or to not get vaccinated. But for the sake of my dad, and for people who struggle with similar illnesses, I hope that we’re able to come together to manage this virus.