Reasoning that he already contracted COVID-19, Republican Senator Rand Paul said on Sunday that he will not get a vaccine shot against the virus.
The senator, who is also an Ophthalmologist, said in an interview with WABC radio that he will maintain his stand unless he is presented with a proof that individuals who have COVID-19 history contract the virus again, were in critical condition that needs hospital care, and faced death.
“Until they show me evidence that people who have already had the infection are dying in large numbers, or being hospitalized or getting very sick, I just made my own personal decision that I’m not getting vaccinated because I’ve already had the disease and I have natural immunity,” the senator pointed out.
It was recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that people, even if they already had COVID-19, get vaccine shots.
This, as experts are not yet sure on the period they will be protected by natural immunity.
Paul tested positive for the disease May of last year and became the first senator known to be infected.
His remarks surfaced in a period when the demand on the vaccine dropped.
So far, American adults who already got at least one of the vaccine doses are approximately at 60 percent.
Former President Donald Trump and Senate Minority LEader Mitch McConnell, who were both Republicans, urged people to get vaccinated and even got theirs.
But Republicans are still among the population turning down COVID-19 vaccines.
According to a poll conducted by the PBS/NPR/Marist, more than four in ten Republicans refuse to get vaccinated.
For months, Republican Sen. Paul noted that he does not need the vaccine as he still has natural immunity to ward off the virus.
Scientists argue that the proof around the period of the immunity cited by Paul is shaded.
