[ photo by Gustavo Fring ]

Grateful for the science and funding to produce COVID-19 vaccines.

I am fortunate in so many ways. I want to take a moment to write about a most fortunate opportunity I had this past Friday. As a physician who works with the elderly in long term care, I was in the first wave of people, in the very first week it was available, to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

What an honor.

What a gift.

I have seen COVID ravage my nursing homes. It will start with just one patient and then spread like wildfire, affecting both the residents and the staff who work there. A fear that has plagued me even more than actually contracting this virus has been the fear that I would unknowingly carry it into the nursing homes. I have been diligent about getting myself tested weekly. I have worn the appropriate, required personal protective equipment. Though not a foolproof plan, it at least has given me a little peace of mind that I am not infecting the very patients I am trying to help. 

Grateful, but feeling guilty to be first.

In receiving the vaccination, I have also struggled with the question of why I get to be at the head of the line. What about my patients? Shouldn’t they go in front of me? What about my kids’ teachers? They are teaching my kids on a daily basis, placing their health at risk so that my kids can learn. Why not the grocery worker who has faithfully shown up to her job during the whole pandemic just to make sure we are all able to purchase the food we need to feed our children?

I am excited to read the plans of who will get the vaccine next as the next phases are rolled out. This is like the wave at a sporting event but instead of watching each section of people stand up raising their hands, we are going to watch each group of people raise their sleeves and receive their dose of hope. If that doesn’t generate some excitement, then I don’t know what does!

Protect yourself and protect others. When it’s your turn, get vaccinated.

Let me tell you, I am grateful for the opportunity to have received this vaccination. I get to be a part of helping our world begin to take steps towards a return to some normalcy. The fastest way to return to the way of life we previously enjoyed, while also minimizing death and long term health complications, is for as many people to get vaccinated - as quickly as possible.

How great will it be for grandparents to hug their grand kids, to spend time indoors with family and friends, shake hands, eat in restaurants, travel without fear or guilt? To attend church, school, concerts, sporting events with other people sitting right next to us and not wearing masks?

I am excited for the next waves of people to also be able to take these steps. With this vaccine, I am starting to see the light at the end of this long, dark tunnel!

What are you looking most forward to once the pandemic is over? Please leave a comment.

Questions about COVID-19 vaccines? Get the information you need from these trusted sources: Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Johns Hopkins.

© 2020 Jessica Kluetz, DO