Local nurse Jennifer Moore decided to become vaccinated to not only protect herself, but to protect her family, friends and patients she cares for.
But it took some time for her to be confident in her decision. She researched the vaccine, looking at the benefits and what it’s made of before becoming vaccinated, and she ultimately decided it was best for her community.
“Originally when this first started, when I first started talking about the vaccine I was very hesitant, I’m sure just due to the lack of information,” said Moore, explaining her thought process to getting the vaccine. “But as time went on, I researched and made myself knowledgeable about it. I realized that it was my duty to get it to protect myself and my patients and my family.”
The COVID-19 vaccine is now being administered to Kern County residents. Those eligible for a vaccine include groups in Phase 1a, healthcare workers, those 65 and older, food and agriculture workers, emergency service workers, educators and child care workers.
“We all discussed it ahead of time and agreed it was in the best interest to get it,” said Moore.
She decided to get the vaccine after doing further research to get an understanding of it. Like a lot of people she was worried about it at first.
Extra precautions have been put in place to not only make sure the vaccine is safe but to monitor those who have received the vaccine. There is an app called V-safe that allows people to fill out surveys on how the vaccine has been and report any symptoms. Depending on the answer CDC will follow up with a call for more information. The V-safe app can not schedule the appointment for a vaccine but it will remind you to get your second shot, according to the CDC website.
Some people do experience side effects that are also signs of building immunity to the vaccine such as; pain and swelling where you got the shot, fever, chills, tiredness, and headaches. Moore did not experience side effects.
According the Covid Ca website, all Californians should have access to COVID-19 vaccines by spring 2021. If you want to be notified when it’s your turn, sign up at myturn.ca.gov or call (833) 422-4255.
“Vaccines have been around for a long time. We have all been vaccinated in one way or another for different things,” said Moore, encouraging the community to be vaccinated. “We have to just trust medical professionals and trust science and do what we feel is best at the time. There’s always going to be unknowns.”
