Editor: Several people I know went to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. They received a paper with side effects to watch for, and were then observed for an estimated 15 minutes after being vaccinated then sent on their way.
They were never provided with the following information before, during or after receiving their immunization. Which is wrong.
COVID vaccines have had some side effects, as evidenced from Public Health Ontario’s website, available at https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/epi/covid-19-aefi-report.pdf?la=en. This is a report on the adverse effects following immunization.
The report details adverse events following immunization (AEFIs), between Dec. 13, 2020 and Aug. 14 of this year, that are temporally associated (i.e., occur after receiving the vaccine) with receipt of COVID-19 vaccine and meet the provincial surveillance definitions (i.e., confirmed).
According to the document, there are a total of 10,809 AEFI reports received following 20,119,743 doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered in Ontario. Of the total 10,809 AEFI reports were received. Of those, 10,242 AEFI reports are non-serious, while 567 AEFI reports meet the serious definition.
The most commonly reported adverse events are allergic skin reactions and pain/redness/swelling at the injection site.
There were 366 reports of events managed as anaphylaxis are reported; 22 reports of Guillain-Barré Syndrome; 701 reports include a COVID-19 vaccine-specific adverse event of special interest, in which 345 reports also meet the serious definition; 21 reports of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome after receipt of the AstraZenica/COVISHIELD vaccine, of which 16 are vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia; and 272 reports of myocarditis or pericarditis after receipt of mRNA vaccine
In Ontario, AEFIs that meet the serious definition are events that required hospital admission and reports of death.
An AEFI report refers to a report received by the PHU, which pertains to one individual vaccine recipient who reported at least one adverse event after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (i.e. temporarily associated with the vaccine).
I am a PSW and I am unvaccinated when it comes to COVID-19. I am not an anti-vaxxer. I am fully vaccinated except for the COVID vaccine.
I work independently and privately and keep no secrets as to my vaccination status with no shame.
I feel enough is not known about COVID-19 or the vaccines to warrant force vaccinations.
I have worked the entire pandemic utilizing all COVID-19 recommended tools to help protect my clients and my compromised husband. I pose no more risk to anyone today than I did working during the first three waves of the pandemic.
To hold a person’s employment as leverage to be vaccinated or removed from position is appalling. It’s bullying at its finest.
All reports I have read state COVID-vaccinated individuals can still contract and transmit COVID-19. No one is really safe from this virus. We all just must do what we can to protect each other.
That choice, however, should remain an individual choice. We are all unique individuals. A blanket approach for all is not realistic.
I am proud to say I voted for Rick Nicholls, MPP. I would vote for him again if he decided to run in the next election.
We must retain the ability to choose what is best for ourselves and our families.
Kim Walsh
Chatham-Kent
