January 04, 2021

Why I Chose to Get Vaccinated
Dr. Janee Bey
TriHealth System Chief of Hospital Medicine

The decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine may be a scary one for you. As a relatively young (I'm 42) and healthy person and a mother of 3 school-aged kids, I understand that. The stakes are high; I'm healthy without any real comorbidities - even if I get COVID-19 I'll probably be just fine, as will my immediate family. The vaccine is new, and the technology feels new; what if there are long term risks we don't know about yet that could affect me if I get the vaccine? 

So, I've put a lot of thought into this. 

The most compelling reason I got the vaccine at Bethesda North on December 23, 2020, is that the immediate, known benefit far outweighs any theoretical risk. In our hospitals I am literally watching patients die of this illness every day, and the vaccine has been convincingly shown to stop death from COVID-19. It has also been convincingly shown to stop critical illness from COVID-19, which has been agonizingly painful. Most of the patients I have known to become critically ill or die are strangers, but increasingly they are the family members of close friends. 

I felt comfortable getting the vaccine knowing that the mRNA technology is actually not brand new. It has been studied for years. There were some historical biomedical barriers to the creation of a viable vaccine that have been overcome with the pooling of intelligence and resources deemed urgent due to this pandemic. I understand that this process wasn't "rushed"; it was facilitated by several factors: intense worldwide interest by skilled scientists, funding from multiple sources simultaneously, a huge and ready supply of both study participants and disease incidence making the study of efficacy rapid. Well over 60,000 people volunteered for the mRNA vaccine trials (Pfizer and Moderna) which is a huge and reassuring number for a rigorous medical study. All of these things rarely align when a vaccine is being developed. 

This relatively quick production of an incredibly effective vaccine should be viewed as a science WIN. This is what can be accomplished when barriers are minimized and collective efforts by smart, motivated people are maximized. We are all scientists and caregivers, too, so can be proud of our inspired colleagues!

I had a sore shoulder for about 24 hours after my first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. My husband had the same. We both felt so happy, though, to have done our part in protecting ourselves, our family, our patients, and our community. My hospitalist partners snatched up vaccine appointments eagerly. My social media feeds are full of pics of my old medical school and residency friends grinning as they get the vaccine. If anyone feels hesitant, they should consider discussing their questions with their doctor. I’m also happy to help answer your questions.

We can only hope that ALL of our partners in healthcare will do their part, too, as only with widespread vaccine uptake will our loved ones be safe.

Dr. Bey, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I will encourage my team to read this if they are hesitant. Got my vaccine last week, no side effects and I'm looking forward to the future!
Posted by: Lynda Garcia on January 12, 2021
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I appreciate the manner in which you advocate for the vaccination, thank you for sharing. It is important that as healthcare professionals, we all do what we can to help protect others. Nicely done!
Posted by: Lisa Taphorn on January 08, 2021
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Thankyou for your realistic and thoughtful comments nothing more important than protecting ourselves and our families that we are constantly around.
Posted by: Haywood Jones on January 08, 2021
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Dr. Bey - thanks for sharing your thoughts. 100% agree. I decided to get vaccinated not only for myself but for all those around me. Process was very simple, kudos to our team that set up the process. Minimal arm pain similar to other injections
Posted by: Randy Hammann on January 08, 2021
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Thanks for writing this...I have received mine also!
Posted by: Karen Meyers on January 07, 2021
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I was comfortable getting mine, few co workers got it few days before me and gave me thumbs up. I was on getting mine on dec 26th. thank you Tina
Posted by: Christina Nickoson on January 06, 2021
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I feel the same and myself and wife are both TH employees who did get the vaccine. Again, just a sore shoulder and armpit a week later (both only lasting a day or 2). Thank you for speaking up and being an example.
Posted by: Kevin Kelley on January 06, 2021
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Thank you for the positive information. I work in reg and sched and have a down syndrome girl I want to protect so I decided to get the vaccine last week as well. I feel much better now after reading your article about my decision. Thank you, Bobbi
Posted by: Bobbi Spence on January 06, 2021
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Thank you for this. I also happily received the vaccine and will pass on your advice to others who are hesitant.
Posted by: Laurayne Bambrick on January 06, 2021
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Thanks Dr. Bey! I really trust your medical view and appreciate how thorough your explanation is.
Posted by: Robin Sauer on January 06, 2021
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Thank you for sharing
Posted by: Diane Kelly on January 06, 2021
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Thank you for such a personal, but also informational note. Much appreciated. And thank you for the care you and your husband provide for our patients. Jeff
Posted by: Jeff Norton on January 06, 2021
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Thank you for sharing this information. I feel more prepared for conversations with friends and family members who may be hesitant to be vaccinated given this information.
Posted by: Jennifer Weaver on January 05, 2021
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I feel more informed reading this testimony and opinion shared by Dr. Bey. I was one of those worrying that this vaccine was "rushed" and may not have enough science behind it. The points about the medical collaborations and mRNA technology, along with the scope of testing is very encouraging and helps me rest assured this is a reliable product. Thank you for sharing this.
Posted by: Alana Noe on January 05, 2021
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This testimony to the "why to have the vaccination shot" should be shared in a stand alone corporate wide email along with reasons why other team members choose to get vaccinated.
Posted by: Robert Winkelman on January 05, 2021
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Love this and thank you so much for sharing!
Posted by: Amy Baldridge on January 05, 2021
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Thank you for so eloquently stating your 'why'! I love how you point out that this really is a HUGE WIN for Team Science!!!! It is inspiring that our (as in, Global... Humankind "our') smart and motivated scientists can work so efficiently at practically a brake-neck speed. It makes me excited for future medical breakthroughs! Your shared thoughts were a Fabulous way to start the day!! Have a Good one, and Stay Safe out there!! ~Meredith, RNCC
Posted by: Meredith Hutson on January 05, 2021
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Thank you for taking the time to write this very informative article, and THANK YOU for all you do!
Posted by: Karen Seiler on January 05, 2021
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Thanks for this info! Very helpful!
Posted by: Melissa Kefauver on January 05, 2021
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Thank you for this article. I was also leary at first but have decided to receive the vaccine.
Posted by: Nancy Costa on January 05, 2021
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Thank you for taking the time to write this, very informative article. Good luck as you continue to take of our patients who contract this disease.
Posted by: Karen Smith2 on January 05, 2021
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