To Vaccinate Or Not

The debate over the safety and effectiveness of the COVID vaccines isn't anything new.  There have been those throughout history who have raised questions about many vaccines.  There was a 2020 book "To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate," that raised questions especially about possible links from vaccines to autism. 

We received an email Friday (Dec. 3rd) from a reader who raised questions about the mRNA COVID vaccines.  The email included a link to an article from AHA (American Heart Association) journals:
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circ.144.suppl_1.10712?fbclid=IwAR3RFpsb_z_26lUuaU7ObbfNm-6tL1h9DJrIItapSUJG_8OxMTq1w2Uc4K4

"I want to take a moment to share a concern to our community over the vaccines. Not an unwarranted conspiracy, one directly from The American Heart Association from November 8th. The new study firmly adds a Warning to Mrna Vaccinations for Covid. I firmly believe this has become too political for people to even accept new data from our most trusted foundations of science. This should be front page news, yet, has completely been ignored by every form of media. I have yet to find a single source except the AHA for its content. Quote: 'We conclude that the mRNA vacs dramatically increase inflammation on the endothelium and T cell infiltration of cardiac muscle and may account for the observations of increased thrombosis, cardiomyopathy, and other vascular events following vaccination.' The link to the paper: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circ.144.suppl_1.10712?fbclid=IwAR3RFpsb_z_26lUuaU7ObbfNm-6tL1h9DJrIItapSUJG_8OxMTq1w2Uc4K4."

We read the article, which does raise concerns, but we also checked with the AHA for their advice about getting vaccinated. The following is not our words--but theirs--direct quotes from the AHA:

"Being vaccinated significantly reduces your risk of dying or being hospitalized from COVID-19. Keep that in mind as you weigh your decision, especially if you're at greater risk from high blood pressure, heart disease or are a heart attack or stroke survivor.

"As of mid-October 2021, officials had confirmed 945 reports nationwide of myocarditis or pericarditis out of nearly 400 million doses given of the two vaccines. Cases were more common in adolescent males and young adults.

"The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association urges all US adults and children 12 and older to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, noting that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the rare, possible risk of heart-related complications."

As we have reported many times before, the vaccines are not perfect; but at this point, they are the best way we know--based on solid statistical evidence from many sources including local and area hospitals--to protect yourself from serious illness or death from COVID-19.

Dr. Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota is likely the most knowledgeable epidemiologist in the country. He does a weekly podcast that reports on various communicable diseases. He is the author of the book "Deadliest Enemy," which many considered a forecast of an epidemic like COVID-19. Here is a link to his latest installment:

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/podcasts-webinars/episode-80