CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Virginia – On Wednesday night, more than 54,000 Virginia residents began to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Most of these individuals are health professionals on the front lines of the pandemic.
Health personnel and long-term care residents are listed in Phase 1a in Virginia’s COVID-19 Vaccination Prioritization Guide.
Although they have priority now, not everyone is willing to roll up their sleeves.
“I’m just concerned with injecting something into my body that has developed so quickly and not knowing what the long-term effects will be,” said a Chesterfield nurse.
Chesterfield, 29, who does not want to identify herself, is not alone. Thousands of health professionals accessed social networks, divided on whether to be vaccinated.
The Virginia Department of Health assured the public on Wednesday that the vaccine is safe. The VDH says that financial barriers have been removed in the worldwide effort to make accelerated vaccine implementation possible.
“All the security review steps have taken place. There (sic) there was no avoidance, there was no dismissal due to the need to put the vaccine on the market. These vaccines underwent the same rigorous and thorough review, scientific review by independent scientists to say that these vaccines were found to be safe and effective, ”said HDR Immunization Division Director Christy Gray.
Virginia’s itinerant nurse, Tempest Schaller, was sent to New York City at the start of the pandemic.
“You knew it was bad,” said Schaller. “I sometimes saw 18-wheel trucks with the freezer, like freezers full of bodies, leaving three or four of these trucks in a day,” she added.
Schaller says he will be vaccinated because it is his responsibility as a rescuer and because of his experience in New York.
“Until you saw your patients drowning, I didn’t have almost a single patient in New York who didn’t, you know, I had a man I took to the ICU to say goodbye to his mother who died three hours later, you know, whose father had already passed away and had lost a brother and, and a nephew and son, all from COVID. You know, and that was not an unusual story. You know, and I just think it’s difficult for people who live in places where COVID didn’t hit it like that, ”said Schaller.
“I am a nurse, my entire profession revolves around science and medicine and the belief that these things work. There are literally decades and decades of research supporting this vaccination, you know, so for me, it’s like any little risk is worth it. Because just the chance of trying to nip this virus in the bud before it gets much worse. For me it’s worth it. “
“I am afraid that people will think that we will get the vaccine and that it will all go away,” said the Chesterfield nurse. “Ultimately, COVID is a virus and viruses are all around us everywhere and are not really going away. It’s here to stay. So we have to find a better way. “
Governor Northam said he does not plan to make the vaccine mandatory, but believes that there may be some situations in which employers may do so. He says he will leave it to companies, but says he will support his decisions.
“I am only concerned with the violation of my personal rights by making it mandatory and it can change my career because I don’t want to be forced to inject something into my body that I don’t feel comfortable with,” said Nurse Chesterfield.
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines, 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 being vaccinated.
Count on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for complete coverage of this important developing story.
Precautions with covid19
Most patients with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. However, in a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can lead to more serious illnesses, including death, especially among those who are older or those who have chronic medical conditions.
COVID-19 spreads mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Symptoms appear 14 days after exposure to an infectious person.
Virginia health officials recommended the following precautions:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Stay home when you’re sick.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Avoid non-essential travel.