Letters: Why we are getting vaccinated against Covid-19

Readers argue vaccination is about more than protecting the individual. Photo / File

In response to Louise Rostron's letter of November 20, I agree that the facts and figures about Covid-19 can be confusing.

It is essential for us to remember that even though vaccination is highly protective for the individual, it does not prevent a vaccinated person contracting and passing on Covid-19.

So you can catch Covid from an unvaccinated person and pass it on, most likely to another unvaccinated adult or child, even if you yourself are vaccinated.

Look at the figures published on page 3 of the same edition of the Chronicle as your letter.

No. of unvaccinated in Whanganui DHB = 8794.

No. of critical care beds in Whanganui Hospital = 6.

No. of staffed ventilators = 3 plus 2 portable.

So the reason for the divide is wanting to protect our health system, which can cope with only extremely low numbers of seriously ill Covid-19 patients locally.

We want to avoid a situation where people are unable to access the help they need, and therefore die or experience serious consequences.

Quite apart from protecting our own health, of course, because even vaccinated people do occasionally contract the disease.

And it's not just the acute illness we're trying to avoid, because the potential impacts of "long Covid" can be very debilitating.

CAROLE WEBB
Whanganui

Covid freedom

Louise Rostron (letter, "Vaccination Division", November 20), perhaps inadvertently, raises an issue I have as a person double-vaccinated against Covid-19.

Here is the science about Covid, stated often by qualified experts: The vaccine hugely reduces life-threatening aspects of Covid-19.

Vaccinated persons might still contract Covid, with mild symptoms, if any.

Louise acknowledges that and seems to think that vaccinated persons should therefore have no concerns about being near to the unvaccinated because "not much" will happen to the vaccinated person. I beg to differ.

There are practicalities Louise seems innocently unaware of.

Consider this: If I fall ill, even mildly, due to Covid infection from an unvaccinated person, I am tested and ordered to isolate.

Therefore, just the same, I've lost my freedom to work, visit or mingle. I would resent that, strongly, because I have done the right thing by vaccination.

Those who are not vaccinated risk infecting others. And vaccinated or not, all who test positive are removed from the workforce and isolated for, generally, similar lengths of time.

A vaccinated person feeling healthy could also be an unwitting carrier of Covid, infecting family or friends.

Again the science has clearly told us that a highly vaccinated society greatly reduces the transmission of Covid.

The risk of anyone being a carrier is thus far less, with high vaccination rates.

Personally, I don't want anyone near me unless vaccinated. My rule is: visitors are not invited inside unless they show their vaccination card.

I am a pleasant old man (one hopes), in great health and I plan on staying that way. In our democratic society we seem to all agree, everyone is allowed to make free choices. Quite so.

Freedom works both ways.

STAN HOOD
Whanganui

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