Definitions of Key Terms
Definitions of Key Terms
The key terms of this study are related to the primary topic of mandatory vaccination and Communications students’ and alumni’s perspectives on its implementation within MacEwan University. Terms are defined as they are utilized within the study, and parentheses will follow each with the term most used in reference to it if different from the one stated. The terms are defined in this order: Alberta government pandemic response, Covid-19, fully versus partially vaccinated, and vaccine exemptions.
Alberta Government Pandemic Response
The Alberta Government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been a highly debated topic since the onset of the pandemic in March of 2020 (Assaly, 2021, para. 5; Wesley et al., 2020, para. 1). Support for the United Conservative Party (UCP) and Premier Jason Kenney’s leadership has significantly decreased throughout the duration of the pandemic, creating an increase of support for the Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) and Rachel Notley’s leadership (Wesley & Snagovsky, 2021, Figures 2, 4, 5, & 8). Since March 2020, there has been a rotation of increasing and decreasing restrictions within the province to account for fluctuations in reported Covid-19 case numbers and vaccination rates of Albertans continuing through the completion of this research (Assaly, 2021, paras. 5-38). Each change in restriction had its own share of positive and negative responses with Jason Kenney and the UCP’s ‘Open for Summer’ campaign, which lifted all restrictions on the first of July 2021, becoming a prime target for commentary on the Premier and party’s response to Covid-19 in the Fall of 2021 (Anderson, 2021; Assaly, 2021, para. 20; Slack, 2021, paras. 2-4). Overall, the Alberta government’s pandemic response has been a topic with perspectives voiced from various political, professional, and personal backgrounds both outside and within the province.
Covid-19 (Covid)
A respiratory disease that, when contracted, can affect an individual’s breathing and/or sense of smell and taste. As well, the disease can have long-term effects on lung efficacy and their functionality (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2020, para. 7-8). The spread of the disease took on a pandemic status in mid-March of 2020 (Assaly, 2021, para. 5). Since then, there have been endless social and political debates on lockdowns, masks, vaccines, and the ethical effects of creating mandates for each aforementioned factor. Covid-19 is a serious health risk because the impact and degree of the severity of the disease, although varying with each case, do not discriminate based on an individual’s previous health status (World Health Organization, 2020, para. 2). The impact of the disease can also create long-term respiratory and sensory complications for individuals that were infected, whether their reaction was severe or not.
Fully versus Partially Vaccinated
Since most currently approved vaccines are two doses, the difference between a partially vaccinated individual and a fully vaccinated individual depends on how many doses they have received. As well, the vaccines take at least 14 days, or two weeks, from injection to be fully effective (Health Canada, 2021; Liu, 2021, para. 3). Therefore, an individual that has both doses but only received the second one less than two weeks prior may also be considered partially vaccinated. The use of ‘booster’ doses for full immunization against the virus is currently being researched and so far is recommended for the immunocompromised (National Advisory Committee on Immunization, 2021, pp. 3-8).
During the time of this current study there were four strains approved by Health Canada. Each will be followed by a parenthesized name by which they will be referred to throughout the study. Moderna Spikevax (Moderna), Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty (Pfizer), and AstraZeneca Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) are two-dose vaccines, while Janssen, or Johnson & Johnson (Johnson & Johnson), is a one-dose vaccine (Health Canada, 2021). By current standards, two doses were necessary to be considered fully vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson being the exception. However, after the completion of the study a booster shot, or ‘third dose’, was made available to the population over the age of 18 (Vasquez-Peddie & Neustaeter, 2021, para. 16-18).
Vaccine Exemptions
Validated reasons for an individual not to receive a vaccine, typically for medical or religious-based reasons. However, this exemption can be taken advantage of by some who do not want to receive a vaccine because they believe it infringes on their rights as an individual or because of their personal belief system. Some companies, both private and public, are taking the initiative into their own administration to mandate vaccination for all employees regardless of exemption status unless the individual wishes to take a rapid screening test on a weekly basis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021, “Vaccine Requirements & Exemptions”).
Study Summary
Public perception on mandatory vaccination is affected by publicly accessible vaccine messaging. The research for this study was conducted at MacEwan University through a survey completed by Communications students and alumni. The primary research question is used to determine how the participants view mandatory vaccination, and the sub-questions infer what factors may influence the decision to get the Covid-19 vaccine. The significance of the study is how this research has the potential to benefit MacEwan University and how it operates within subsequent semesters as a result of the pandemic. Terms used in this research are defined to create a concrete understanding of the material and how the keywords affect the comprehension of the study. Limitations of the study are also included to explain the time restraints, inclusion criteria, and personal biases of the researchers and participants of the survey.
