By Gayla Edlin, Director Emergency Services  

For most of us, this past holiday season was unlike any other we have experienced. Instead of the typical hustle and bustle of holiday parties, family gatherings and being surrounded by those we love – this year was just different. I know for me personally, I missed gathering with extended family to give thanks, winning Paw Patrol lotion at Christmas bingo and laughs with friends at our ugly Christmas sweater party.   

While changing traditions this year was hard, I know there are people here in our community who are facing much greater difficulties because of how COVID-19 has impacted their lives. I see these challenges every single day in my role on the frontlines of fighting this pandemic as Director Emergency Services. 

That’s why I’m excited and proud to be among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. I know many people have questions or concerns about the vaccine – I did too, at first. However, after talking to other clinicians I know and trust, reviewing the facts and being tired of missing so much in 2020, I feel very confident in my decision to get vaccinated. 

COVID-19 vaccines have gone through the same rigorous process to gain authorization that all vaccines available in the United States have gone through – no steps were skipped, and no corners were cut. Researchers anticipate that the vaccine will be approximately 95% effective. This is significantly higher than other common (and important) vaccines like the flu vaccine, which is typically between 40-60% effective.  

You’ve probably heard about the potential side effects, which can include pain at the injection site and sometimes headaches, muscle pain, body aches, fatigue or fever. I personally experienced side effects of pain at the injection site, headache, muscle pain, fatigue and low grade fever, which were mild and went away within 24 hours. I can tell you from personal experience serving patients and families every day during this crisis that these potential side effects pale in comparison to the challenges that come with a serious case of COVID-19. 

For me, I chose to get the vaccine for the obvious reason of not wanting to contract the virus but the motivation to get vaccinated signifies so much more to me. I don’t want my loved ones or anyone else to get COVID-19. It is heartbreaking to see people in our community suffer at the mercy of this unpredictable virus. I want kids to get to go school and seniors to experience all the traditions of senior year. I want businesses to be able to operate at capacity, many of which along with their employees may be barely hanging on financially. I want to gather with large groups to worship, celebrate holidays, special occasions and lives well lived. We need approximately 75% of the population vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. I consider myself fortunate to be among those to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.  

With the COVID-19 vaccine, I believe we are on the right path toward reaching an end to the pandemic and returning to normal life – but it is going to take all of us doing our part by choosing to get vaccinated, continuing to wear masks, maintaining social distancing and practicing hand hygiene until the vaccination is widely administered. I want to encourage every member of our community to step up and be a vaccine hero once it is available to you. Do it for your family, your friends, yourself – and all of us at Spring View Hospital. 

While there is much that we all missed last year because of the pandemic, there is now a light at the end of the tunnel. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this community, and I will continue to do my part to help ensure that brighter days are ahead in 2021.