Don’t ask people why they were vaccinated

Doses of one of the four COVID-19 vaccines currently in circulation are coveted around the world. Getting shot in the arm is cause for celebration – it is the most effective way humanity has to finally stave off the pandemic that has killed 525,000 Americans in one year.

Naturally, people post their vaccinations with cheerful selfies, broadcasting their triumphs to their friends, family, and the general public. But with vaccine selfies comes the question: How did you qualify to receive your vaccine?

Even with the craving for vaccines rampant, this is not a question you should be asking yourself. Requirements to receive a vaccine in the United States are well known at this stage: To receive a vaccine in your condition, you must either meet a certain age requirement or live with at least one of the many co-morbidities. Not everyone wants to say whether or not they have a disease that qualifies them for a vaccine. And they shouldn’t have to.

Not everyone wants their illness to be public

Someone you know may not have any demonstrable signs of illness, but may have suffered from an illness their entire life. Disclosing a difficult diagnosis such as cancer is hard enough when it’s only for friends and family. When a person has to explain to an acquaintance that they have suffered from an illness for a long time, this can place undue emotional strain on the vaccinated person.

Before COVID-19, people with chronic illnesses already expected stigma and to be ostracized in mainstream society. A 2011 study conducted by Yale researchers and published by the National Institutes of Health probed the relationship between social stigma and chronic disease.

Researchers have noted how chronic disease can invade the lives of people with the disease, often beyond their control.

People diagnosed with chronic illnesses report experiencing social rejection, dismissal, and poor health care due to their chronic illness. Importantly, people with chronic illnesses may come to anticipate stigma. Anticipated stigma is the belief that prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes will be directed against oneself by others in the future.

It is possible that the person who has received a vaccine is not enthusiastic about revealing their qualification, for fear of being viewed differently or being seen as weak.

There is also the issue of body mass index and the stigma of obesity. People with a BMI over 30 are eligible for vaccines. It is a qualification that no all those who qualify through the IMC is enthusiastic, and it is certainly in anyone’s right to keep this information private.

You are intrusive if you ask

If someone isn’t your immediate family or close friend, their health isn’t really your business. In addition, you run the risk of making them feel guilty. While each dose is undeniably essential, it remains true that people who receive it may feel lucky and there is someone else who needs it more.

You may alienate someone who is already struggling with the complicated feelings that come with taking a vaccine. There are only a limited number of doses, although the United States should have enough to vaccinate anyone who wants a vaccine by May. Given the slow and tedious process of vaccine distribution, it is possible that a person who is vaccinated could suffer from a case of vaccine guilt, even if they have a comorbidity that legitimately qualifies them for a vaccine while stocks are limited.

The point is: don’t ask unless you already agree with the person where the two of you can express frankness and vulnerability with each other. If you do not have these conditions, simply praise the person for receiving their vaccination. Not all diseases are visible. It’s possible that someone you know has diabetes or an autoimmune disease that qualifies them. And if they don’t want you to know about their health, it’s their right not to tell you.