Explains his decision not to get the Covid vaccine and the importance of government transparency

WASHINGTON – Today, the Washington Examiner published an op-ed by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) regarding his decision not to get the Covid vaccine, his advocacy for early treatment, and the importance of American’s healthcare freedom.

Excerpts below, you can view the full op-ed here.

I don’t have anything against vaccines. I have gotten annual flu shots since the 1970s and am up-to-date with all other standard vaccinations. I strongly supported Operation Warp Speed and celebrated its astonishingly rapid success. But I do believe getting vaccinated is a personal choice that should be made in consultation with a doctor.

Since I’m not a doctor or medical researcher, I don’t believe it’s appropriate for me to either encourage or discourage vaccination. My role is to help ensure transparency, so people have as much information as possible to make their own informed medical decisions. That is why I held two Senate hearings on early treatment of COVID last November and December and championed federal right-to-try legislation in 2018.

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Since that interview two months ago, new information has emerged. An Israeli study showed that natural immunity from having had COVID-19 is at least as effective as vaccine immunity. Natural immunity occurs with most other viruses, so why would anyone assume that wouldn’t be true for SARS-CoV-2? Evidence from the U.K. is raising safety concerns about vaccinating previously infected individuals.

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Since testing positive for COVID, I have been comfortable living a mostly normal life. My antibody test only increases that comfort level. Witnessing crowds in airports and other public venues, I’d say other Americans are also gaining confidence resuming life. Hopefully, the state of fear is receding, we will respect each other’s medical decisions, and we’ll recognize the danger to individual liberty that vaccine passports or other forms of coercion represent.

The senator previously held two Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearings on early treatment in November and December of 2020.

Below are news stories that report on adverse effects and deaths following Covid vaccinations:

Vista Middle School grieves the loss of social studies teacher to COVID-19

Paralyzed after getting COVID-19 vaccine, Pittsburgh area woman shares recovery story

Physical therapist, 28, working at a senior living facility in Indiana dies two days after getting the COVID-19 vaccine

Former HHS COVID advisor warns against children getting the COVID vaccine (msn.com)

Doctors suspect COVID delayed immune response in young surgeon’s death

Nashville woman partially paralyzed after rare COVID vaccine reaction walks again

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