November 2021 was the month Tiffany, 34, completed her 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Like so many, Tiffany’s journey was a long and winding road. Before she could make this decision, she needed to explore her options, do her research; and take her family and underlying conditions into consideration. Your journey might be similar, if not exactly like hers, but the only way to find out is to learn about her process before she decided to ReConsider taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
Every day Tiffany would go to work and become the first person to greet a community that has mental health challenges, substance abuse, and homelessness. Although she too worried about her own mental health due to having bipolar disorder, and her physical health due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, shadows of the past still crept into the present. Although she took the added precaution of removing the clothes she wore to work before coming home, and Lysol became her new fragrance of choice, it would be well over a year before Tiffany could hug her grandmother above the knees, due to the fear of getting her grandmother, a two-time cancer survivor, sick.
After losing her child due to a blood clot before he could take his first breath, Tiffany was terrified that her dream of becoming a mother would not happen if she would take the vaccine. However, Tiffany came to recognize that a decision had to be made.
After talking to her physician and her fully vaccinated parents for the umpteenth time, she decided to get the vaccine. She prayed about what she needed to do, scheduled some PTO, looked for a vaccine site with the help of her mother, and finally got the shot!
Manifestation of God. That is what the name Tiffany means. She knew what she wanted to accomplish, prayed on it with an open heart, and for the love of family, she did just that.
We all have our reasons for being hesitant, just like Tiffany did. Yours might be fear of the unknown, questions about long-term effects of the vaccine, or mistrust of medical systems due to the health disparities faced by the Black community. It might even be about longstanding social inequities COVID-19 has exposed. Let’s not forget about the lack of access to accurate information to make an informed decision. We understand it will be a process for you to overcome these fears as well.
However, we know that COVID-19 targets the most vulnerable amongst us. It has no respect for mankind. Old or young, rich or poor, sick or healthy. It has no boundaries, no borders, and no conscience. These can all be the reasons why you should ReConsider taking the vaccine.
More Information
This blog is accurate as of the date of posting. Information changes rapidly, so check the state’s COVID-19 website for the most up-to-date info at coronavirus.wa.gov. You can also sign up to be notified whenever we post new articles.
The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to everyone 5 and older. For more information about the vaccine, visit CovidVaccineWA.org and use the vaccine locator tool to find an appointment. The COVID-19 vaccine is provided at no cost to you.
WA Notify can alert you if you’ve been near another user who tested positive for COVID-19. Add WA Notify to your phone today: WANotify.org
Answers to your questions or concerns about COVID-19 in Washington State may be found on our website. You can also contact the Department of Health call center at 1–800–525–0127 and press # from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday — Sunday and observed state holidays. Language assistance is available.
