The vaccine conundrum: weighing the risks of a rare side effect Despite scientists trying to explain that all medicines have probable side effects, even pointing out that taking the contraceptive pill and taking a flight have a higher probability of causing blood clots, the fear continues to prevail Josanne Cassar 12 April 2021, 7:15am The Malta Employers’ Association this week came out with the proposal that those employees who refuse to take the vaccine should have to accept regular mandatory swab tests at their own expense and should not be paid for any quarantine leave should they test positive. This controversial suggestion is obviously going to cause a furore, because it impinges on a person’s rights to refuse the vaccine, however the MEA’s argument is that employers also have the right to safeguard their workplace. While I can understand both points of view, I still cannot grasp why there is resistance to a vaccine which can perhaps get us back to life as we knew it, rather than waiting around for COVID-19 to hit you, with who knows what type of consequences.