Why I Got Vaccinated

As I watch the events unfolding in Washington, D.C. with great sadness, let’s not forget that we are still in the midst of a deadly pandemic. Now that COVID-19 vaccines are available we see a light at the end of the tunnel for this pandemic. Health care workers and leaders must lead the way on supporting confidence in and endorsing these vaccines that can help end this public health crisis.

I know that many people have questions about these vaccines – including health care workers across the country. That’s natural. Yet our communities are looking to us – their health care professionals – for answers. As the vaccine becomes more widely available to the public, it is critical that we lead by example. We have seen firsthand the devastation caused by COVID-19. And we know how important it is to protect our staff so that we can take care of the rising number of patients.

That’s why I recently received my first dose of the vaccine as soon as it was my turn to do so, after front-line caregivers and other employees at high risk for exposure were offered it in our Southern California region. I strongly urge everyone in our communities to do the same.

And as CommonSpirit Health continues to vaccinate our staff across the country, we are also beginning to look to the vaccine rollout in our communities. Some Americans remain hesitant to receive the vaccine – especially in communities of color that have borne so much pain and suffering throughout this crisis. As an older American and a person of color, I am acutely aware of the risks so many people face if they do not receive these inoculations. I too had questions about the vaccine, but I was reassured knowing that they went through the most rigorous testing and met the highest clinical standards. Our experts overwhelmingly concur that they are safe and effective.

Having worked in healthcare almost my entire professional life, watching our nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists and other frontline staff getting their vaccinations has been incredibly moving. These shots are bringing more than immunity – they bring hope when it is so desperately needed. But the promise of these vaccines will only be realized if enough people are vaccinated as quickly as possible.

As more of us are vaccinated, please consider sharing your experience and your personal reasons for getting vaccinated with your patients, colleagues, family and friends. Together, we can reach the end of the pandemic faster.