RALEIGH, N.C. — As COVID-19 cases rise across the state and country, some parents are sticking to their opposition to receive vaccinations to combat the virus.
What You Need To Know
COVID-19 cases are on the rise as the highly infectious delta variant spreads, including among vaccinated adults
Some parents who have chosen to not get vaccinated say they are unlikely to change their decision and say they are hesitant for reasons including the ingredients of the vaccine and how long it’s been on the market
Lisa Hoy, who has chosen to not receive the COVID-19 vaccine and does not wear a mask, says she has been turned away from local places including the dentist office because of these decisions
Lisa Hoy, a mother of four with 5-year-old triplets, has decided, along with her husband, to not receive COVID-19 vaccinations.
“We don’t have anything particular that is keeping us from getting vaccinated,” she told Spectrum News 1, “this is just me as a parent making the best decision I can.”
She says a mix of reasons led her family to make the choice to not receive vaccinations, but she says holding on to the freedom to make the choice to get vaccinated or not is most important.
“It’s not just about how long they’ve been working on it, it’s not just about the ingredients, it’s not just about the mandates, it’s about all of it,” Hoy said.
She explained her decision has led to negativity from peers and members of her community, something she hopes may subside with time.
“It’s been just so divisive and I find that really hard, it's sad and everyone’s a little bit sad about that,” she said.
Hoy has decided to not only not get vaccinated but also to not wear masks, something that leads to limitations in their day-to-day lives.
“The fact that my kids and I get turned away from things now because we don’t wear masks or because we’re not vaccinated, you know, it’s sad,” she said. Hoy says she had to find a new dentist because the office mandated mask-wearing in the waiting room for unvaccinated patients.
“There’s things that we can’t do as a family because we aren’t wearing masks or because we’re not vaccinated,” Hoy continued. “I’m coming here to open my mouth in your face, do I really need a vaccination? Does it matter either way?”
Hoy says that she does not identify herself as an “antivaxer” and has allowed her kids to receive other vaccinations, but still questions some of the ingredients in mainstream vaccines.
“Just because I got the vaccine doesn’t mean I’m not going to get sick, so why take all of these extra precautions that are so scary for my kids that [aren't] really positively impacting their life,” she said.
Despite a rise of cases caused by the delta variant, Hoy says she is unlikely to change her position.
“Maybe there’s something I’m missing, I’m not a doctor, maybe there’s something I haven’t read yet or that I just haven’t learned yet,” Hoy said. “But based on the information I have, things like that just don’t make sense.”