Health organizations have an ethical, moral, and possibly legal duty to inform the public of potential risks in any medical procedure, including the COVID vaccine. I could find no mention of potential adverse effects beyond a sore arm, elevated temperature, and fatigue even after perusing all the latest information provided by Maine Health and Center for Disease Control. There is no mention of the possibility, although small, of immune thrombocytopenia, a condition that develops when the immune system attacks blood platelets, as reported in New York Times twice this month.
Perhaps, the Maine medical hotline would be of help in answering my questions, but I was told, “We don’t have information on serious adverse effects.”
Well, why not?
It should also be revealed that those vaccinated will be participating in “post marketing surveillance” of side effects. In other words, the vaccine will be given to millions and we will wait to see what side effects roll in. But regardless of how severe the side effect(s) might be, the pharmaceutical companies have nearly complete protection from any liability caused by their product. This is due to the Public Readiness Emergency Preparedness Act.
The decision to get this vaccine or not is an important one, especially for people under 70 years old who have less risk of mortality from this virus. To make this decision, the public relies on health institutions to provide accurate information. By not properly informing people, Maine Health and CDC are denying people true informed consent.
Donna Dodge, Denmark
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