Samantha* has lost her relationship, been barred from seeing her mother in hospital and been out of work for almost a year — the longest she’s ever been unemployed — but it’s still not enough to convince her to get vaccinated.
The 44-year-old’s refusal to get the Covid-19 vaccine, puts her among the 5 per cent of adult Australians who have not had even one dose against the virus.
She says her life has been ruined by her reluctance to get the jab but that’s not enough to get her to change her mind.
“I’m actually scared,” she told news.com.au about why she didn’t want to get vaccinated.
The Melbourne resident said she has had friends and family who had experienced vaccine-related side effects such as heart issues. But her stance is also a matter of principle.
“I don’t feel I should have to do something I don’t want to do in order to make a living — especially a medical procedure,” she said.
Sydney University vaccination update expert Julie Leask said authorities had “gone as far as we can with two-dose mandates”.
“Mandates have done their work, we have reached that ceiling, 97 per cent of Australians over 16 have had one dose, and more than 95 per cent have had two doses,” she said.
She said there was only about 2.7 per cent of the population aged over 16 years old who had refused to get any Covid vaccination.
“They are so strong in their views that they have quit their jobs, lost income, and might have lost housing etc,” she said.
“You have to consider these people in making laws and where possible, where it’s reasonable, to enable them to work.
“Having said that, there are certain workplaces where the importance of protecting people of high risk outweighs that personal liberty issue.”
Speaking to Samantha and others, there’s no question they are willing to stand by their decision.
It's been really brutal here. I'd say the most severe oppression of the Australian people in our entire history; probably among the worst in the world in terms of COVID. There aren't many of us left. It really shows you who was prepared and who are the principled individuals in your society. To preserve our sanity, myself and the people I know have turned it into a game to see how far we can get. I'll be disappointed if I don't make it to the last 1% at least.
We’re an endangered species at this point
It's just sad so many sheep went along with the tyranny. In the southern states of USA I'm now surprised to see anyone wear a mask anymore.
What is AMAZING is we can't "work" due to health but we can shop in that same store unvaxxed. Had a woman mention she got booted from woolworths n Easter Sunday via phone, while she food shopping there. Work colleges asked what she was doing in store, she said shopping as a customer and they accepted it, yet SHE CANT WORK THERE? #MORONS
If that mamy people are vaxxed, then you've reached herd immunity and no one else needs the clot shot
Hopefully those they coerced will make them pay at the election this weekend.
Really hoping we have our Trump elected moment where the “deplorables” throw a cat amongst the pidgins