Miltie,
You and I are same age and both healthy. I have put off a vax decision to gather more information as well. I also take vitamin supplements including C and D. After conferring with my primary care, with several professionals in the fields of medicine, medical research, and immune system disorder, I will be taking the J&J later today.
My primary doctor took one of the mRNA vax’s last January and he said if he had it to do over, he would have gone with the single shot J&J, but at the time it hadnt yet been approved. Like me, he prefers the traditional method of vax development in the J&J over mRNA, but through different mechanisms(beyond my medical expertise) both do the same thing in stimulating the immune system. Both cause the creation of antibodies, and in both cases the antibodies will decrease over time leading to need for boosters. What is not known at this time is how long (or rather how much antibody is required in your system) for the shot(s) to remain effective, because the other unknown is how much viral load you may in the future be exposed to. Apparently a little exposure can result in a mild case of COVID while a large load (I guess an infected person sneezing in your face) could result in serious illness and the hospitalizations.
The bottom line with the given unknowns for me was that its better to have the antibodies at a level produced by the vaccination, than risk a high viral load infection.
Even people who had the disease and may have developed antibodies may lose that antibody protection over several months. So they are also being recommended to get a vax as well.
The grey area seems to be persons who have diabetes, are overweight, or have some other underlying health issue or are vax allergy prone. The majority of the bad reactions seem to be associated with these conditions.
All of this is, more and more, sounding like the same concerns we have with seasonal flu and flu vaccinations. COVID just has a higher capacity to spread it seems.
Each person should make their own decision. After waiting, watching, and much discussion with my doctor, I have made mine. I dont think of it as a ‘guess’ with regards to long term effects. I have had several ‘risky’ occupations and hobbies over the years, and we speak of taking ‘calculated risks’, not ‘guesses’ or ‘chances’, so long as you have looked at all the information available to you at the time and take appropriate cautions.
I hear ya.
So far, I’m more interested in catching it and developing G-d Designed anti-bodies. I think I’m in great shape to survive and thrive.
When I’m 64 and 5 years worth of jab data are available, the calculus changes. Either the jabbed are dying at excessive rates for some currently unknowable reason, or not. If not, I’ll take what by then will be a proven vaccine.
But right now, anyone who says they know the long term risks of the jab are self deluded. It’s not possible to know. Yet.