Are you undecided about getting a COVID Vaccination? Are you worried about getting the vaccine? Do you know what a nasty disease COVID-19 can be?

This decision is hard for many people. One expects clear medical science, but so many groups have weighed in that it makes one’s head spin. We listen to the CDC and also the media which sometimes presents inconsistent messages, and then we have politics entering in with a point of view not based on medical training or experience. At the end of the day, it’s hard to sort things out.

Choosing to be vaccinated is for the most part a choice based on evidence that it prevents one from having a severe case of COVID-19 and from spreading the disease. Exceptions to choice are that some businesses and colleges and universities have started to make vaccination mandatory. Clearly, science shows that getting very sick, being hospitalized and dying are reduced with vaccination. You will be making a choice based on scientific evidence.

You also need to be aware of the potential seriousness of this disease, and the fact that at this writing, over 575,000 have died of COVID in the United States alone. Sadly for some who have had the disease, long term symptoms, some debilitating, have been described, lasting so far for at least several months. Recent evidence also reveals that mortality is increased in the 6 months after COVID infection, even after a mild case.

The myriad of information about the pandemic continues to be a problem. So is the politicization 0f a public health crisis. Confusion is increased because the CDC does not operate on intuition or guess work. Their pronouncements come only when there is clear scientific evidence, which involves monitoring, collecting and analyzing data, and a considerable amount of time and effort. Inevitably, the time it takes to do all this review gives others the opportunity to step in and give their own opinions and recommendations, adding to the confusion.

An answer to this conundrum is to discuss the issue with your physician, the one you trust, the one who helps you in making decisions about your health, the one who would be referring you for cancer treatment, surgery, or whatever might be needed.

Your doctor is your advocate and integrates both the science and the art of medicine, which will help in answering your questions and in your decision.

Remember, the vaccine helps protect you, your family, your work family, your friends and your community. Encourage others who are vaccine hesitant to talk to their physicians too.

Once we achieve herd immunity, which means that about 70% to 80% of people are immune, we can hopefully return to pre-pandemic life.

Dr. Lillian Vitanza Ney is president of the Chautauqua County Board Of Health and retired medical director of WCA Hospital.