In the last couple of months, we have been introduced to one of the most life-changing innovations of our time- the COVID-19 vaccine. Unlike the vaccines we’ve gotten in the past, this vaccine is an mRNA vaccine. Unlike vaccines in the past that trained our bodies to reject a live virus, this one teaches our bodies to create a protein that will trigger an immune response to produce antibodies that will help fight COVID-19 (“COVID-19 and Your Health”, 2021). I learned about this innovation from news articles on the internet and through word of mouth. I recently (yesterday!) received my first vaccine and am currently in the confirmation/continuation stage of adoption. As a mother of three and a teacher, I can only see the benefits of receiving these antibodies. According to Rogers’ stages of adoption, I am in the early majority stage of adoption. While I don’t have the status or the financial ability to be an early adopter, I do have a good amount of the qualities of an early majority adopter.
Opposite this, I fall into a completely different category when it comes to another popular innovation- the Apple Watch. I am definitely a laggard with this one. I have resisted this innovation from the beginning and have yet to begin adoption. This innovation has been successfully adopted by society but I have completely rejected it.
References
COVID-19 and Your Health. (2021). Retrieved 1 February 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html
Diffusion of innovations. (2021). Retrieved 1 February 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion_of_innovation
That is exciting that you received your first round of the vaccine. I just finished my second one and did not discourage anyone but I did feel some nasty effects from it. However, being in the medical I felt I needed to set a good example for the patients. I was definitely in the confirmation phase way before most when it came to taking the vaccine. I felt it was something that would help in the end. But I do not believe it should be mandatory for others to take it.
As far as the Apple watch goes, it reminds me of the Dick Tracy show with his little watch. I am too resistant as well because I like an old fashioned watch with the hands-on it. I have an expensive cellphone and I do not like having another gadget strapped to my arm. Technology is fun but too much is never good.
I respect your decision to get the vaccine. At this time I will not be getting it but that could always change with more information. As for the Apple watch, I have had 2 of them. They work well for me when at work, I can at least read a message on the go and decide if I need to step away from what I am doing to respond.