I may be totally wrong here, but I think the point they're trying to make is that a lot of people are hesitant to get the new vaccines, despite how well they're

I may be totally wrong here, but I think the point they're trying to make is that a lot of people are hesitant to get the new vaccines, despite how well they're working and the (for the most part) lack of side effects, because they keep hearing conflicting information about those vaccines. It's hard to feel confident about something when people who are for something are busy saying that there are no negative side effects at all, while others are pointing out that's untrue in some cases. Rather than withhold information, it's better to treat people as adults, and give them the whole picture so that they can make a decision with all the available information. The example of your acquaintance is a good one, I think, to demonstrate how people are willing to change their mind when they have more of the facts. (In this case, the reality of how bad things can be, and I would guess more accurate information about the vaccines from doctors on-site.)