It’s really sad and frustrating to see loved ones continue to refuse vaccination.
I saw an interview with a Michigan doctor who said that he did not blame the people for being unvaccinated, rather he placed blame on those who intentionally create and benefit from marketing and selling misinformation.
My 30 year old niece remains unvaccinated. She has a 3 year old daughter, an unvaccinated husband with a large extended family all of whom are unvaccinated. And she is due to give birth next week. She’s smart, educated, well-read, is a social-worker who works very hard helping others, loves her family and believes she is doing the right thing. She now attends a super church which does not agree with vaccination. She has come to distrust her own instincts, and believes that the negative "reports" she reads on the internet about vaccines are more reliable that her own doctor’s advice. Although she calls it “conspiracy theories,” she’s still following suit.
I’m trying to have conversations with her about vaccination without alienating her, but it is very difficult. She’s told me that she can’t really talk about the issue with my family (her parents, siblings etc.), because the conversation gets shut-down very quickly, with each retreating to their respective sides. She said that she feels it’s all a “mixed-up ball” of politics, family, church, wanting to be a good wife and mother, fear of the vaccine affecting her pregnancy, and simply being overwhelmed and not knowing what to do. I suggested that she try to unpack the ball and separate things out – taking things out of the equation like politics - and discuss a risk assessment plan with her doctor – the risk of vaccination vs. risk of getting covid. I’m very concerned about her, as are many on the family.
I hope to continue having somewhat of an opening for conversation, and to at least steer her in the direction of considering listening to her doctors. In our talks, I only have a few minutes to tread lightly before she retreats her opinions and the topic is not longer on the table to discuss. |
