Nurses are leading the way in getting the vaccine. As more and more people get vaccinated, we are closer to being able to return to a more normal life, protecting ourselves, our families and the economy.
Nurses as a group lead the way in getting vaccines. Although some still hesitate—particularly outpatient nurses—as a group, professional nurses continue to set an example of willingness to combat the epidemic by getting vaccinated themselves. Statistics are still being gathered but in March 2021, 64% of hospital nurses were already vaccinated. The effort to get that number to 100% is underway. How can we help our peers and our patients who hesitate about getting the vaccine?
Going the Extra Mile
Nurses have been heroes every step of the way. Nurse Vaccinator Jaquelyn Chartier stated in a New York Times article, “I saw on the news they were going to roll out these mass vaccination sites but they needed nurses because they were short. And I was, like, I gotta go. I gotta go help.” Her spirit echoes the voices and actions of so many nurses who have stepped up to the plate and gone the extra miles to help conquer this pandemic.
Working in health care, many of us have seen the worst of COVID: patients struggling to breathe, suffering a variety of maladies, and some even becoming “long haulers” finding themselves besieged by symptoms months after the disease should have packed up and left their bodies. Countering that are the 80% of people who have symptom-less or mild symptom infections of COVID-19 and recuperate uneventfully and quickly. The two extremes are hard to reconcile. We continue to have a lack of current science about what makes one person get acutely ill and another barely suffer a sneeze. Because of these disparities, we hear divided reports—everything from doomsday reports to a fantasy of denial. As nurses, we are sometimes stuck in between trying to educate people, help them understand, and lead by example.
Vaccine Risks vs. Deadly Virus Risks
The fact that vaccines have some degree of inherent risk is well-known and undisputed. But this risk must be weighed against the potentially much greater risk of severe illness from contracting this coronavirus. With a mortality of 1% (this number is still being determined), it is much deadlier than the flu (<0.1%), even after we have had over a year to develop strategies to treat it. All of us know of stories of young, healthy men and women becoming gravely ill, ending up on a ventilator and dying. Our stories in this country are numerous, but in other countries, the situation is becoming even direr. Globally, the pandemic has been devastating.
The risk of getting the vaccine is extremely small. Not getting the vaccine is also a calculated risk. It is important to understand this and to encourage our patients to consider that they are still taking a risk when they choose not to be vaccinated. The recent pause in the administration of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine was due to blood clots in 6 persons out of 6.8 million (1/100th of the risk of getting struck by lightning).
Misinformation
Misinformation and outright lies about the vaccine are plentiful for those who are willing to read it and give it credence. The internet has an overabundance of bogus “information” about vaccines going into your DNA. “The truth is that the vaccines cannot modify anything in your embryo or your child.”
Miraculous Preparation for Such a Time as This
The scientific literature describing the development of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines with mRNA is fascinating and reads like something out of the future. The men and women scientists who were able to rapidly develop these vaccines for COVID-19 did not come upon this technology overnight. It had been in development for a number of years and was miraculously ready just when it was needed. According to associate scientist Katherine Calhoun, “Rarely do you work on something in the lab and go home and turn on your TV and see the top 10 headlines are about the thing that you were working on today.” The miraculous preparedness of the scientific community “For such a time as this” seems to have escaped our imaginations during the crisis of COVID-19. It may be time for us to step back and reflect on how fortunate we are that events in the cosmos came together to give us these tools to combat the infection.
Senior scientist Amy Barnes who is part of the development team for the Pfizer vaccine states: “This kind of reminds me of September 11th. It’s that same feeling of What were you doing at the time?”
Prevention - the Best Treatment
Prevention is the best treatment we have for COVID-19. Vaccines are our best hope for staying safe, keeping our families and patients safe, and preserving the economy. Like most viruses, it mutates and this one spreads aggressively. We have a short window of time to poke holes in its armor and then watch it crumble. If we work together, we can make it happen!
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
5 minutes ago, love2banurse89 said:
Your attitude is very pompous and condescending.
The "liberal agenda" relative to the covid vaccination? That's easy--and starts with money. (There may be a bit of desiring to do good in there...but the pandemic has definitely been a huge money maker by companies that are involved in the production of vaccines and COVID tests). The pharmaceutical companies have received billions of dollars to develop a vaccine. Of course they want to sell what they've already made--it's given for "free" but they are getting paid by the gov't...which means all of us who are working! While the vaccine does appear to offer some protection against COVID, we truly don't know how much or for how long. And they're already setting the scene for a vaccination every year (or perhaps every six months) and/or every variant.
That's a bunch of opinion...do you actually utilize facts and evidence when making health decisions during a public health crisis?
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
1 hour ago, love2banurse89 said:
I'd say the same about CNN and MSNBC!
So?
I haven't offered up either of those as citations while encouraging people to trust their vague concerns and suspicions about vaccinating during a pandemic.
Specializes in Educator, COVID Paperwork Expert (self-taught).
On 7/14/2021 at 4:44 AM, Curious1997 said:
On 7/14/2021 at 4:44 AM, Curious1997 said:
You are dead right! There are TWO SOLUTIONS! VACCINE OR INFECTION!
Apparently, over 600,000 deaths or realistically, 700,000? isn't very convincing to you?
It's almost mind bogglingly incredible, that an infection control nurse is an anti vaxxer! Do you smoke out the infections you see? Or prayers? How about exorcisms? Possibly, bleach injections or infused sunlight?
It's very likely that you are infected by extremely poor education and judgement, maybe this will reverse that deficit
Wonder if the vaccine had anything to do with the outcome?
Why are you so threatened by my statements and decisions? Why the wild overreaction and ridiculous assertions?
If the vaccine is effective, you are protected regardless of my vaccination status. You can wear a mask (or two or three if you want to!) for extra protection. If you're not certain of someone's vaccination status, avoid high risk exposure--high risk, defined by the CDC, as being within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more without a mask. I'm protecting my elderly residents (most of whom have been vaccinated) by wearing my mask at all times at work, washing hands, and getting tested for COVID weekly. As for the variants, if the vaccine works, you're fine...if it doesn't work against variants, my vaccination status doesn't matter.
42 minutes ago, toomuchbaloney said:
That's a bunch of opinion...do you actually utilize facts and evidence when making health decisions during a public health crisis?
Specializes in Educator, COVID Paperwork Expert (self-taught).
50 minutes ago, toomuchbaloney said:
I haven't offered up either of those as citations while encouraging people to trust their vague concerns and suspicionse about vaccinating dieing a pandemic.
I never mentioned any TV network as a citation--you mentioned FOX. My "vague concerns and suspicions" are based on multiple sources, including the CDC, NIH, VAERS, the research on the websites of Pfizer and Moderna, and doctors -- Marc Siegel, MD, a professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health, Simone Gold, MD, a board-certified emergency physician who graduated from Chicago Medical School and Stanford University Law School, and Nicole Saphier, MD, a board certified radiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
38 minutes ago, love2banurse89 said:
I never mentioned any TV network as a citation--you mentioned FOX. My "vague concerns and suspicions" are based on multiple sources, including the CDC, NIH, VAERS, the research on the websites of Pfizer and Moderna, and doctors -- Marc Siegel, MD, a professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health, Simone Gold, MD, a board-certified emergency physician who graduated from Chicago Medical School and Stanford University Law School, and Nicole Saphier, MD, a board certified radiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC.
You've offered zero specific concerns from experts in the field...instead you've suggested that they're not to be trusted. You've extrapolated data into fear to justify not vaccinating during a pandemic.
Why do you trust the people that you listed over the national experts in virology and infectious disease?
I mentioned FOX because they are one of the sources of covid misinformation and unfounded fears of the vaccines.
Specializes in Educator, COVID Paperwork Expert (self-taught).
21 minutes ago, toomuchbaloney said:
You've offered zero specific concerns from experts in the field...instead you've suggested that they're not to be trusted. You've extrapolated data into fear to justify not vaccinating during a pandemic.
Why do you trust the people that you listed over the national experts in virology and infectious disease?
I mentioned FOX because they are one of the sources of covid misinformation and
I’m almost 100% positive that you will not accept any “specific concern” of mine from any expert, no matter how well qualified, whose opinion doesn’t agree with yours. I’ve offered my research resources so you can check out the actual numbers & draw your own conclusions. I trust the people I’ve quoted because of their experience, research based evidence, & just plain common sense. Data is data—I cannot “extrapolate fear” from data. I am not afraid. Cautious, yes, afraid, no. But I CAN use data to make the decision that is best for me. Now, I’m done discussing this with you. There is no point in continuing. I do hope, however, that you will really look at the numbers & the facts & draw your own conclusions. I also hope that you can step back & realize that people do have the right to make their own decisions & not be mocked or bullied for doing so.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
1 hour ago, love2banurse89 said:
I’m almost 100% positive that you will not accept any “specific concern” of mine from any expert, no matter how well qualified, whose opinion doesn’t agree with yours. I’ve offered my research resources so you can check out the actual numbers & draw your own conclusions. I trust the people I’ve quoted because of their experience, research based evidence, & just plain common sense. Data is data—I cannot “extrapolate fear” from data. I am not afraid. Cautious, yes, afraid, no. But I CAN use data to make the decision that is best for me. Now, I’m done discussing this with you. There is no point in continuing. I do hope, however, that you will really look at the numbers & the facts & draw your own conclusions. I also hope that you can step back & realize that people do have the right to make their own decisions & not be mocked or bullied for doing so.
You can be done defending the choice to be fearful and not vaccinating but I'm not done stating emphatically that it is safe for the average person to vaccinate against this virus. There is no scientifically sound reason for anyone to be afraid that they will suffer some future medical mishap if they vaccinate today.
There is significant risk associated with groups of people refusing to vaccinate today. You do have the right to make your own decisions. You don't have the right to suggest to others that it is perfectly reasonable to be "concerned" and therefore unvaccinated during this pandemic...because that's not OK. If people don't have contraindications to vaccination they should be encouraged to vaccinate. The science and data reflects that the vaccines are safe and effective.
Nurses should be advocating vaccination not doubt. I hope that you can step back and see that duty to public health and country during a national public health crisis.
You can be done defending the choice to be fearful and not vaccinating but I'm not done stating emphatically that it is safe for the average person to vaccinate against this virus. There is no scientifically sound reason for anyone to be afraid that they will suffer some future medical mishap if they vaccinate today.
There is significant risk associated with groups of people refusing to vaccinate today. You do have the right to make your own decisions. You don't have the right to suggest to others that it is perfectly reasonable to be "concerned" and therefore unvaccinated during this pandemic...because that's not OK. If people don't have contraindications to vaccination they should be encouraged to vaccinate. The science and data reflects that the vaccines are safe and effective.
Nurses should be advocating vaccination not doubt. I hope that you can step back and see that duty to public health and country during a national public health crisis.
She's NOT fearful or afraid as she already stated. And she absolutely does have the right to suggest to other people that "it's reasonable to be concerned". IT IS reasonable to be concerned!! The science and the data are minimal at best, and do NOT reflect long term effects. Period. This is indisputable.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
1 hour ago, underpressure said:
She's NOT fearful or afraid as she already stated. And she absolutely does have the right to suggest to other people that "it's reasonable to be concerned". IT IS reasonable to be concerned!! The science and the data are minimal at best, and do NOT reflect long term effects. Period. This is indisputable.
A review of the data leads to the reasonable conclusion that the vaccines used in this country are safe and effective. There is no reason for the general public to be concerned about untoward effects from the vaccines. It is not reasonable to discount the expert opinion only to be swayed by the opinion of people who are not experts in the field.
You are sowing doubt in the minds of people. The country is in the middle of a pandemic. Nurses should be advocating for vaccination, not sowing doubt. Period. Do you think that is disputable? Do you use fringe medical opinion to inform your patients about other important health decisions? Personal reasons to not vaccinate should remain personal unless there's some desire to influence others to, likewise, not vaccinate.
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
From the US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy yesterday, who lost 10 family members to COVID, decries pandemic myths:
Quote
“What we know from polls is that two-thirds of people who are not vaccinated either believe common myths about the COVID-19 vaccine or think some of those myths might be true," Murthy explained, citing a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey. “Myths like you can get COVID from the vaccine, which is absolutely not true.
“Simply put, health misinformation has cost us lives,” he said. “Nearly every death we are seeing now from COVID-19 could have been avoided.”
if vaccinated
U.S. Dept. Health and Human Services (HHS): Confronting Health Misinformation” a 22-page document that lists ways individuals, educators, health professionals, journalists, technology platforms, researchers, foundations and governments can counter the spread of COVID-19 myths.
Specializes in Educator, COVID Paperwork Expert (self-taught).
35 minutes ago, NRSKarenRN said:
From the US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy yesterday, who lost 10 family members to COVID, decries pandemic myths:
HHS: Confronting Health Misinformation” a 22-page document that lists ways individuals, educators, health professionals, journalists, technology platforms, researchers, foundations and governments can counter the spread of COVID-19 myths.
Well, as you can see from my posts above, I’m in the 1/3 of people who have gotten my info & based my decision on reputable info. And I’m certainly not spreading any myths. I encourage people to study the research & make their own decision.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
1 hour ago, love2banurse89 said:
Well, as you can see from my posts above, I’m in the 1/3 of people who have gotten my info & based my decision on reputable info. And I’m certainly not spreading any myths. I encourage people to study the research & make their own decision.
Please encourage people to follow public health recommendations and get vaccinated.
toomuchbaloney
16,199 Posts
That's a bunch of opinion...do you actually utilize facts and evidence when making health decisions during a public health crisis?