I had a splenectomy when I was 18. I had an autoimmune disorder (ITP for short), that caused my platelets to attack each other. My blood stopped clotting. Having my spleen removed was my only option.

(I deleted this thread earlier so I could reword it).

http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Info-Site/Documents/COVID-19_vaccine/Splenectomy_Asplenia_Clinical_Guidance.pdf

I did some research and found out that there have been no COVID-19 vaccine studies or clinical trials on people who have no spleen or who have functional asplenia (a spleen that doesn’t work well).

From the article:

“In general, people with splenectomy or functional asplenia were EXCLUDED from the COVID-19 vaccine trials.

Therefore, there are UNCERTAINTIES as to whether COVID-19 vaccine is EFFICACIOUS and SAFE in patients with splenectomy or functional asplenia.”

“People who have had a splenectomy or who have functional asplenia are considered immunocompromised, and people immunocompromised due to disease or treatment were excluded from the clinical trials of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen vaccines.”

“Therefore, it is UNKNOWN if the currently available COVID-19 vaccines are efficacious in patients who have had a splenectomy or have functional asplenia.”

“As with most vaccines, there is a potential for blunted immune response in individuals who are immunocompromised due to their disease or treatment.”

“As a matter of informed consent, patients who are immunocompromised should be counseled about the LACK OF SAFETY and EFFICACY DATA for the currently approved mRNA as well as adenovirus vaccines in people who are immunocompromised.”

The article then goes on to say:

“However, they should also be reassured that expert consensus is that immunization should proceed as the benefits outweigh the risks.”

I am being told that even though there is a lack of (as in NONE), efficacy and safety data, that I should be vaccinated because the benefits outweigh the “risks” - risks they cannot identify because they have zero data to support this claim.

As a result of researching the “science,” listening to the “experts,” and looking at the data (there is none), I have chosen to not get vaccinated at this time.

And not that I GAF (this not a whine session), but I’m considered by some as an anti-vaxxer, conspiracy-theorist, right wing extremist, and an idiot. Probably before now, but that’s another story

If my decision makes some, or many, believe those things, then so be it.

G-d gave us ALL brains and the abilities and tools to seek knowledge and the freedom to think and decide for ourselves.

On this one, “the science” and the “experts” failed - in every way.

On this one, I’m going to listen to ME.

Any thoughts?