Top Reasons to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine

Dr. Corin DeChirico

by Dr. Corin DeChirico,

Vice President of Medical Staff and Chief Medical Officer for Healthcare Network

Some people are fearful or skeptical about the effectiveness, safety and need for theCOVID-19 vaccine. The American Medical Association(AMA) has found there are several common reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy:

  • Fear of the vaccine’s safety.
  • The vaccine trials were not diverse enough.
  • The vaccine will give you COVID-19.
  • The shot has side effects.
  • Some prefer to wait for natural immunity.

Dr. Giuliana Farias McQuirt

But there are medically proven facts that counter each of the above reasons:

  • Instead of skipping development steps, Operation Warp Speed allowed approval steps to be completed at the same time. This allowed the process to cut red tape, not steps, according to AMA President Dr. Susan R. Bailey, an allergist and immunologist in Fort Worth.
  • The National Medical Association, the largest organization for African-American physicians and their patients, is confident in the diversity of the trials.
  • The vaccines do not contain live virus, which means they cannot give a person COVID-19.
  • Very few of those vaccinated can have side effects that require medical attention.
  • COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness.

To help people understand why getting the vaccine is important, we asked Healthcare Network’s providers and partners why they are getting the vaccine.

“I chose to get theCOVID-19 vaccine to protect myself and those around me, because like trees in a forest, we are all connected.” – Dr. Filadelfo Larios, Dental Care

Dr. Susan Saboi

“I chose to get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect myself, my family and everybody around me including our patients, and to significantly decrease severity of the disease if I get infected.”- Dr. Dusan Sabol, Family Care

“I believe it can prevent me and others from getting sick from the virus.” – Dr. Jean Mesidor, Behavioral Health

“Over the course of this pandemic, I think there have been times where a lot of people have just felt really helpless and hopeless. Getting the vaccine, I feel like there’s something in my control. I feel hopeful.” – Dr. Courtney L. Whitt, Director of Behavioral Health

“As a health care worker, it’s my responsibility to assure the wellbeing of everyone.” – Fabricio Pensalfini, dental assistant

“It’s important for me to be healthy in order to serve my patients and the community.” – Michael Alexander Rodriguez, Clinical Health Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow

“Vaccines are proven to be the most effective and efficient way of dealing with communicable diseases and having these available is a godsend!” – Dr. Jose Quero, Family Care

Amelia Bell Hawkins, PhD

“Just like my patients put their health in my hands, I trust the brilliant scientists and doctors that came up with this vaccine to help us all get past these hard times.”- Dr. Julie Mancera Loftin, Dental Care

“I want to help end the pandemic. If we all do this small act, our collective action can save lives.” – Dr. Giuliana Farias McQuirt, Family Care

“I researched and prayed about it and determined it to be the right thing to do for all of us.”- Amelia Bell-Hawkins, APRN, Family Care

Dr. Corin DeChirico is vice president of medical staff and chief medical officer for Healthcare Network. For information on Healthcare Network’s COVID-19 efforts, visit Dr. Giuliana Farias McQuirt https://healthcareswfl.org/.

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