When the COVID-19 pandemic crippled the world, many of us rejoiced when the vaccine came out. The vaccine promised to save millions of lives and help us get back to normal life. The truth is, it did do that – but the story isn’t so rosy for everyone. When a recent Yale University study mentioned a severe syndrome linked to Covid vaccines, it brought attention to the experiences of individuals left disabled after receiving the jab. Victims have found solace in the study’s recognition of their sufferings.
Struggling with Post-Vaccination Syndrome
When the COVID vaccine came out, many of us couldn’t wait to get it. Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson – didn’t matter, we just wanted to get back to regular life. Concerts, parties, school, family gatherings, some of us even missed the office. Just as there were people excited to get the vaccine, there were plenty of others who were more skeptical. These ‘anti-vaxxers’ as they have been dubbed by the internet, were met with ridicule by many. Internet fights broke out on every platform with people debating the pros and cons of getting the vaccine. Eventually, any content deemed ‘misinformation’ was stripped from the internet as soon as it was published. Much of this content was anti-vaxx. While yes, much of this content was not based in fact or science, some of it had some legitimate concerns. While in the United States the vaccine saved millions of lives, it left thousands with crippling, life-changing symptoms and conditions. Many individuals, from doctors to military personnel, have reported a myriad of health issues post-vaccination. Dr. Trevor Keyler, a biology professor, has seen his life altered drastically due to extreme tremors and fatigue after his Moderna shot. These victims have faced dismissal and are grateful for this study out of Yale University, which has provided them with some much needed validation.
Insights from the Yale Study
Yale researchers discovered a distinct rare ‘post-vaccination syndrome’ showing various biological changes in affected patients. Common symptoms included brain fog, dizziness, tinnitus, and exercise intolerance. The study highlighted a potential link to dormant viruses, like Epstein-Bar, and long-term immune system complications. While these symptoms don’t sound overly problematic, it’s their severity that is leaving people unable to live the lives they once did.
Challenging Medical Misconceptions
Despite the lifesaving benefits of Covid vaccines, those with post-vaccination injuries often face stigma and disbelief in the medical community. Lindy Ayers, a 31-year-old Army veteran from Arkansas, for example, has been wheel-chair bound ever since she received her second Pfizer dose as part of the military mandate. Formerly a triathlete and avid mountain biker, now she can barely move. She says doctors told her it was long covid and that her symptoms were due to anxiety. Instead of being given help, she was met with discrimination. Despite being a believer in vaccines, she was branded as an anti-vaxxer for even suggesting that perhaps the vaccine had something to do with her condition.
’I get these crashes where if I try to take care of myself, my body shuts down and I’m in so much pain. I can’t even lift my arms,’ she described to the DailyMail. ‘I’m not an anti-vaccine person. I think vaccines help people, but I think this specific vaccine hurt a lot of people…It’d be cool if more people understood that it can hurt people so that more doctors will research and they’ll have a cure for what I’m going through.’
Long-lasting Effects of Spike Proteins
The persistence of spike proteins in the body post-vaccination is believed to contribute to the onset of symptoms similar to long Covid. Individuals like Lindy Ayers have struggled with post-vaccination complications, leading to a deteriorating quality of life and uncertainty about the future. But Lindy isn’t the only one. 42-year-old Erica Evers reluctantly took the vaccine when her employers mandated it. She did so, however, because she couldn’t afford to lose the health insurance that came with her job, as her son suffers from chronic health conditions. The day after her first dose, she began experiencing blurry vision in her right eye. The day after her second dose, the condition worsened. Her specialist diagnosed her with a retinal hemorrhage, or bleeding in the back of the eye. She now requires injections in her eye every month to stop the bleeding that cost $2000 each. Her biggest concern? That one day she will wake up and not be able to see her two sons anymore.
Speaking Out for Recognition and Research
Victims like Erica Evers and Kameron Snowden have recounted their experiences of sudden health issues following their Covid vaccinations. Kameron, who initially supported vaccination, now grapples with unpredictable health challenges. The 57-year-old from Indiana initially got the vaccine in support of his wife, who is a health care worker. He says he never even thought to be concerned about the jab – he was willing to do whatever it took to support his overworked wife. Not long after, though, he started experiencing a high-pitched ringing in his ear and an irregular heartbeat so severe that he thought he was having a heart attack. Since then, his life has become a daily struggle.
‘I can’t bend down and stand up without feeling like I’m losing a grip on consciousness. It literally feels like sometimes my brain is being starved of oxygen.’ He described. ‘I can’t walk up and down stairs without actually grabbing onto the banister because at any time I might get a dizzy spell. I just never know what’s going to happen. I’m scared to be left home alone. You just resign yourself to the fact that your days are numbered.’
Advocating for Greater Understanding
Despite the lack of definitive links between their conditions and the vaccines, victims hope for broader recognition and research into the post-vaccination syndromes they experience. Their hope is that more medical professionals will acknowledge the potential risks associated with certain Covid vaccines. The truth is that the percentage of people experiencing negative effects from the COVID vaccine is still small in comparison to those who are not. The other truth, however, is that we still don’t fully know or understand the potential effects of the vaccine, from mild effects to severe, like those of the victims here. By sharing their stories and advocating for further investigation, these victims aim to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals grappling with post-vaccination syndromes and promote better support and comprehension in the medical community.
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