Should I Get the COVID Vaccine? with Dr Tania GourleyShould I Get the COVID Vaccine? with Dr Tania Gourley
Soul Sessions with Jodie Gale
Psychotherapist Jodie Gale speaks with immunologist Dr Tania Gourley about what COVID vaccines are, how they work and what current data suggests about their safety. The conversation addresses common fears, myths and the balance between personal choice and protecting vulnerable people.
51:47•9 Aug 2021
COVID Jabs, Trauma and Tough Choices with Dr Tania Gourley
Episode Overview
- Vaccines are designed to trigger an immune response without causing disease, and COVID vaccines do not contain the live virus.
- mRNA and viral vector vaccines use different methods, but both teach cells to produce the spike protein so the immune system can recognise and fight COVID-19.
- COVID vaccines went through all standard clinical trial phases; pauses in trials and rollouts indicate safety systems are working, not being skipped.
- Real-world data show severe illness and death from COVID are overwhelmingly occurring in unvaccinated people.
- Choosing not to vaccinate carries its own serious risks, both for the individual and for vulnerable people who cannot fully benefit from vaccination.
“You’re actually playing Russian roulette by not getting the vaccine.”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? For many, it’s fear for their health; for others, it’s fear for their loved ones. This conversation between psychotherapist and trauma specialist Jodie Gale and immunologist Dr Tania Gourley taps into that same concern, but through a different doorway: COVID vaccination.
Aimed at women with complex trauma histories and potentially fragile immune systems, this chat breaks down what a vaccine actually is, how the COVID jabs work, and why so much online chatter is simply wrong.
Drawing on decades of research in microbiology and immunology, Dr Gourley explains that vaccines are “basically a preparation that stimulates the immune response to produce antibodies towards a specific disease,” and firmly clarifies, “we’re not being injected with COVID-19.” You’ll hear clear explanations of mRNA and viral vector vaccines, why trials were paused (and why that’s actually reassuring), and what real-world data from millions of doses is showing about safety and effectiveness.
The pair also unpack fears about blood clots, infertility myths, and the uncomfortable truth that “you’re actually playing Russian roulette by not getting the vaccine.” For anyone in recovery who already feels worn down by health anxiety, this episode offers practical guidance: talk to trusted doctors, rely on evidence rather than algorithms, and consider vaccination as part of caring for yourself and your community.
There’s also a strong reminder that long-term effects of COVID infection are still unknown, and that vaccination isn’t just about personal protection, but about safeguarding vulnerable people who can’t mount a strong immune response. If you’re stuck in the “wait and see” camp, this conversation might be the nudge that helps you ask: am I really protecting myself, or am I just delaying a decision that could save my life and someone else’s?
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