I’m all Pfizer’d up

by Rick Johansen

People are always asking me, “How did you get on with your COVID jab?” They don’t really, but if they did, I’d reply that I was incredibly brave. I had an appalling reaction to the jab, which is to say I had an achey shoulder which, thank the lord, is easing now. I’m very relieved to be Pfizer’d up, as I think most of us are. But there are some right idiots about.

I was Pfizer’d up because my allocated vaccination centre was Southmead Hospital and that’s the one they have. I would not have given a toss which vaccine I was given. Pfizer and AstraZeneca have produced two life-saving vaccines which will almost certainly stop anyone dying from the virus. But chatting to some of the staff and volunteers, the speculation that some people are turning up at various places for their vaccines and then refusing it if they are offered the AZ version is true. “I’ll wait for another vaccine,” is the usual reply. “But the AZ vaccine is safe and effective,” I would say if I was part of the vaccine roll-out team, “And it’s a far better option than catching the fucking virus.” Some people were convinced by the scientific facts. Others assumed the knowledge of virologists and epidemiologists themselves, despite knowing Jack Shit about either subject. “I’ll wait for another vaccine” is stupidity personified.

We know that vaccinations are the way to get us back to normal. If we want to go to the pub, go on holiday, meet family members and friends (can you see my priorities here?), then that little jab is the way to bring it about. That little prick who won’t have the jab sets everything back. The anti-vax loons do more to extend the lockdowns than any other group in society.

The time is coming where the government will need to roll-out vaccine passports. If you want to do stuff, then you should be doing everything to protect yourself and others from the virus. This may include foreign holidays, gigs and sporting events, maybe even the jobs you may wish to apply for. If you choose not to protect yourself and others, there should, in my view, be consequences.

I couldn’t possibly explain what’s in a vaccine and how it works. That’s why I am not in a job making vaccines. But I do trust those who do understand.

I got on perfectly well with my jab. I knew I would. I have been taking vaccines for most of my life. This is just a different one. And like other vaccines, it works.

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