Overcoming Vaccine Hesitancy

Teresa Baker, a nurse with UM Shore Home Care, says she initially had “huge reservations” about receiving the Covid-19 vaccination. Baker suffers from allergies and was also concerned about potential side effects, given that she sometimes experiences a strong inflammation response. “I didn’t feel like, globally, we knew enough about the virus, and the vaccination was developed very fast,” she explains.

 

As her co-workers were getting vaccinated, Baker began to reconsider. She was apprehensive, but decided to go ahead. In terms of side effects, she suffered only a minor headache after each shot.

 

“As a nurse, I decided it was the responsible thing to do to protect my myself, my co-workers, patients and family,” she says. “If I can offer a layer of protection to stop the transmission or slow down the transmission of the virus, then it’s common sense.”

 

 

 

 

 

Vonda Jones, scheduler/biller for UM SMG – Surgical Services, was hesitant about receiving the Covid-19 vaccine because she didn’t feel there was enough information about the vaccine and people’s reactions to it.

 

“I was concerned, but I ultimately decided to get it because I’m in health care and I didn’t want to risk exposing my family,” she says.

 

After her first shot, Jones’ only side effect was a sore arm. Her second shot brought fatigue with body aches and a headache, but these effects lasted less than 24 hours and then she was “back to normal.” Since she received the vaccine, both of Jones’ sisters and her parents have gotten vaccinated.

 

“I do have a greater peace of mind and hope that more people will get the vaccine,” says Jones.