CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. – By Wednesday night, more than 54,000 Virginians had begun vaccinating themselves against COVID-19. Most of these individuals, frontline health workers of the pandemic.
Health care workers and long-term care residents are listed in Phase 1 of the Virginia COVID-19 Vaccination Prioritization Guide.
While they now have priority, not everyone is willing to curl up.
“I’m just worried about injecting something into my body that has developed so quickly and not knowing what the long-term effects will be,” a Chesterfield nurse said.
The 29-year-old Chesterfield nurse, who does not want to be identified, is not alone. Thousands of health workers have traveled on social media divided over whether they want to get the vaccine.
The Virginia Department of Health assured the public Wednesday that the vaccine is safe. VDH claims that financial barriers have been removed in the global effort to make the rapid deployment of the vaccine possible.
“All security review steps happened. No corners were cut (sic), things were not given up for the need to put the vaccine on the market. These vaccines have gone through the same rigorous and thorough review, the scientific review by independent scientists to say that these vaccines were found to be safe and effective, ”said Christy Gray, director of the VDH Vaccination Division.
Virginia’s traveling nurse, Tempest Schaller, was sent to New York City at the start of the pandemic.
“You knew it was bad,” Schaller said. “Sometimes I would see all 18 wheels with the freezer, like with full-body freezers, leaving three or four of those trucks out of the hospital in a day,” he added.
Schaller says he will be vaccinated because it is his responsibility as the first person in charge and because of his experience in New York.
“Until you saw your patients drown, in New York I had almost no patients who didn’t have them, you know, I had a man I took to the ICU to say goodbye to his mother who died three years ago. hours later, you know, whose father had already passed away and lost a brother and a nephew and a son of COVID. You know, and that was it, that it wasn’t an unusual story. You know, and I think it’s hard for people living in places where COVID hasn’t hit like that to understand, ”Schaller said.
“I am a nurse, my whole profession revolves around science and medicine and the belief that these things work. There are literally decades, decades and decades of research backing up this vaccination, you know, so to me it’s like it’s worth every little risk. Because we only have the chance that we can try to eliminate this virus in the outbreak before it gets much worse. It’s worth it for me. “
“I’m afraid people will think we’ll get the vaccine, and all of that will go away,” the Chesterfield nurse said. “Ultimately, COVID is a virus and viruses surround us everywhere and don’t really go away. He is here to stay. Therefore, we need to find a better way. “
Governor Northam says he has no plans to order the vaccine, but says he believes there may be some situations where employers can do so. He says he will leave this in the hands of companies, but says he would support their decisions.
“I’m just worried that my personal rights will be violated because it’s mandatory, and so it can make me change careers because I don’t want to be forced to inject something into my body that I’m not comfortable with,” he said. Chesterfield nurse.
Under the guidelines of the Employment Opportunities Commission, employers can require workers to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and exclude them from the workplace if they refuse. There are two exceptions for people with disabilities or for “sincere” religious beliefs that prevent them from getting vaccinated.
Rely on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for full coverage of this important developing story.
Precautions against covid19
Most patients with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. However, in a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can cause more serious illnesses, including death, especially among those who are older or with chronic illnesses.
COVID-19 is spread mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms appear after 14 days of exposure to an infected person.
Virginia health officials urged the following precautions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if no soap and water is available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Avoid non-essential travel.