Dear editor,

I agree with T. Hardy鈥檚 argument in his June 9 letter to the editor that whether or not one gets a COVID vaccination is a personal health decision.

I also agree that in our publicly funded medical system no one for any reason should be refused health services or be required to make extra payments.

But I don鈥檛 agree with his assertion that our personnel vaccination history is no one else鈥檚 business. If you can choose not to be vaccinated others can choose to require proof of vaccination before allowing you to enter their homes or places of business.

Like T. Hardy I have enjoyed good health for most of my life and took virtually no sick days over my working career. Not having had the flu for over 40 years and thinking 鈥渋f it ain鈥檛 broke don鈥檛 fix it鈥� I took a pass for a long time on the yearly flu shots. I changed my mind when I read of research by immunologists claiming that even if you don鈥檛 exhibit systems of the flu you can be passing the disease on to others if you are unvaccinated.

The same is said to be true for the COVID vaccination.

Mr. Hardy says he disagrees with 鈥渢he government telling me what to inject into my body鈥� while I appear to be letting immunologists make the decision for me.

The problem is that I have limited knowledge in the field of medical science so my decisions are strongly influenced by the advice of doctors and scientists. I also listen to the advice of professional plumbers, electricians, auto mechanics, bankers, lawyers and climate scientists.

Whether or not I agree with their conclusions, or take their advice or use their services is ultimately my decision. But it would be foolish not to seek out the advice of those more knowledgeable than ourselves before making a decision about something as important as a covid vaccination.

Erik Taynen,

Merville