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1/ I was very hard on the CEO of $MRNA in 2020 for his relentless stock promotion on CNBC and the deluge of insider selling seemingly tied to these appearances.
2/ I also (correctly) pointed out that it was highly unethical for him to promote preliminary and partial Phase I clinical trial results for ANY pharmaceutical development, let alone a new-to-the-world vaccine technology aimed at a coronavirus.
3/ I was also skeptical that the mRNA vaccines would work. Much to my (pleasant) surprise, both the $MRNA and closely related $PFE vaccines showed definitive and undeniable efficacy against Covid-19. The vaccines work. Period.
4/ I also followed the $JNJ vaccine work closely. As a more traditional vaccine, the one-shot-and-done aspect was very attractive to me. Truth be told, if given the choice, I’d choose a $JNJ vaccine. The blood clot risk is minimal and manageable in my humble opinion.
5/ I live in a rural community especially hard hit by Covid. There is no vaccine choice here. When your age group becomes eligible, you can sign up to get a vaccine at the local public gathering center, or choose to stay unvaccinated.
6/ I’ve read the journal articles. I understand the science. I know the risks. My wife and I discussed it briefly, but in reality there was little to discuss. Our family (including our teenaged children) would get vaccinated as soon as that privilege presented itself.
7/ My wife went on the first day she was eligible. They were giving $PFE shots that day. That’s the shot she got. She received her second dose yesterday. So far, so good. The second shot has been tougher than the first, but she’s relieved to be done.
8/ A week later it was my turn. I showed up at the vaccination center at my scheduled appointment. I asked the nice volunteer working the check-in desk what vaccine was on offer that day. She said “Moderna”. I smiled.
9/ What did I do? I happily sat my privileged ass down in the chair, chatted up the nice young man who would jab my left arm with the $MRNA vaccine, felt the minor sting when he did it, grabbed a sticker, and went on my way.
10/ I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it was an emotional experience. The beginning of the end of this terrible time. I had a bad reaction to the first shot, likely because I probably had Covid in February. My second shot is scheduled for two weeks from today. I hope it’s easier.
11/ I’m grateful to the scientists at Moderna, Lonza, and the various government research labs that participated in the development and roll-out of this vaccine. I’m grateful to President Trump for Operation Warp Speed and to President Biden for driving this effort so hard.
12/ I’m mostly grateful that I live here, in the US, where access to these vaccines is widespread and free. I respect everybody’s personal choice on this matter. For me, and for my family, the choice is clear. Yes please! I’ll take that $MRNA vaccine.
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