(Letter to the Editor - Graphic Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

Since its release, questions of who can, and who must, get the Covid vaccinations are hotly contested. Now a new inequality arises. Any one can refuse a vaccination but those at high risk are not allowed access to the vaccine when its efficacy wanes.

I missed the chance to get the polio vaccine because I was born before it was developed.

Every day, for over 70 years, this is brought to mind whenever I try to move. Most people had no more than “mild flu symptoms” from polio, but about 1 in 200 had their spinal nerves damaged. Polio destroyed the spinal nerves connecting my brain to my legs. There is still no hope of restoring movement to my paralyzed legs. In all my plans and dreams, I must consider the effects of polio, including the late effects which showed up as new symptoms after 20 years.

It’s too soon to know if there will be late effects from Covid. Reports of long Covid, make me worry that late effects, new symptoms, might show up years after as with polio.

Covid vaccines were developed about a year after Covid was detected. Developing a polio vaccine took decades. Polio is nearly eradicated world wide because the protection lasts a life time. In the 50s polio vaccinations were eagerly sought, while today Covid vaccines are not universally accepted and efficacy wanes.

CDC data tells us: Covid vaccine protects against death and hospitalization; But in the last year 350 to 550 people die daily of Covid. The elderly (over 50 years) make up 95% of these. Those with pre-existing conditions (including neuromuscular disease) are more likely to die. Those using a ventilator are more likely to die. The protection given by the current Covid vaccines wanes after six months, as does the protection of the annual influenza vaccines.

I am at risk. Six months ago, when authorized, I received my last vaccination. Currently, I am not allowed another booster and my last’s protection has waned.

To change this policy an advisory committee must recommend change to the CDC. But the advisory committee met last month, only meets three times a year, and accepts comments only ten day before it meets. They have built a dam isolating the committee. Be the water that overwhelms the CDC. Ask that vaccines be allowed for those that want them when ever the last booster’s protection has waned.

Warren Peascoe

Vienna