My parents have definitely been scared by the “pandemic” and are super excited that they are able to get the vaccine next month.

Predictably, the question becomes, “when are you going to get the vaccine shot?” I’ve told them about my concerns with the vaccine back in November, and they seemed to agree back then, but it appears the COVID panic has grown into paranoia for them since then. I live in another state for a job, so I have told them that “I’m young so they aren’t giving vaccines out to my demographic yet,” though that excuse isn’t going to last. Honestly, we’ve been planning for me to visit them, and now it seems as though they are at the point where they won’t want me to visit unless I am vaccinated like them.

I’m standing my ground on my refusal to take the vaccine, as the risk outweighs the benefits in my opinion, but I think that my refusal will be the turning point of my relationship with my parents. It’s absurd to think that not taking a vaccine for a disease with a 99% survival rate would be what causes my family to not want to see me in person, but their fear of COVID (they are under 70) might be strong enough to where they give me that ultimatum. I hope it doesn’t come to that point, but I’m bracing myself for it. Most likely I will be seen as paranoid and being ridiculous, but I would rather not submit to that pressure.

Make no mistake, I’m not looking for advice, I just wanted to give a little backstory to my question to the the forum. For those of you who are skeptical of the vaccine and plan on refusing to take it, are you already seeing the relationship between your family, extended or otherwise, strained because of this? If the vaccine question hasn’t come up, do you foresee your stance on the vaccine causing your family to think more negatively of you or strain the family relationship?

I’m not a professional or expert (though frankly experts and professionals these days are increasingly useless), but I would advise those skeptical of a vaccine with less than a year of development to stand your ground on this issue as a matter of your own personal health. The pandemic has shined a blacklight on the nature of those in power around the world, and to place absolute trust in these institutions would be unwise. Stay strong in your resolve!