"My Why" By Rachel Blackman Occupational Therapist

Why did you decide to receive the COVID-19 vaccine? I decided to receive the COVID-19 vaccine because I was on the frontline taking care of many COVID patients. During the peak of COVID in December 2020, I saw my patients actively dying and having lifelong complications such as strokes and blood clots. I wanted to get the vaccine to make sure my family and friends were protected.

What would you like to say to those are who hesitant to receive the vaccine? If you are hesitant to receive the vaccine, I would ask you to do your own research and follow the advice of medical professionals. Make sure you are receiving informed education from the research that is actively being done right now.

What would you say to those who are worried about the Emergency Use Authorization for the vaccines? For this vaccine, they did not cut any corners to get the emergency approval for the vaccine.

What would you say to those who think it may not matter if they don’t get the vaccine? Every person who gets vaccinated is helping the community around them. Each person who gets vaccinated makes us one step closer to herd immunity.

What made you feel safe to get the vaccine? I felt safe to get the vaccine because they didn’t cut any corners to get the emergency approval status.  

What were your worries? I was worried about the temporary 24-hour sickness that followed the vaccine for some people. But the benefits outweighed that small 24-hour risk. 

What’s the significance of this vaccine to you? The significance for me of the vaccine was making sure all of my family, friends, and patients are staying healthy. I cannot wait for us to return to normal!

This interview was conducted in the summer of 2021, prior to organizational decisions regarding employee vaccination status and booster recommendations.