Thank you Al. I understand this. In the absence of such data, I so not understand the argument made by some in this thread that getting the vaccine will reduce the transmission to others, and particularly those at higher risk of complications/death, and therefore we should all take it.
Reduced transmission from vaccination would be wonderful, but we do not seem to know that yet. I can see how it might, but without knowing the effect on transmission, the premise for this argument is just an assumption and not a fact, and is therefore flawed. As such, it is not a sound argument, IMO. It is more of a hope and should be understood as such. I agree that more will be known in time. At this point, I see the vaccine more as a step towards personal protection for those who want to take it, and that it should therefore be a personal choice and not a mandate until we know more.
Of course this does not mean that people should not take the vaccine. I am not arguing one way or the other and would not presume to tell others what they should or should not (or must) do. Encouragement is one thing, mandates are another. I prefer vaccination to remain a personal choice in the absence of more data.
I will decide for myself when the vaccine is available to me and I am hoping there is more information available at that time.