Thought went into decision Elaine Price made to get vaccine
By Zandy Dudiak, Communications coordinator
Getting the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was something Elaine Price contemplated—for at least four or five days. “I looked at all the different views,” says Elaine, a professional assistant who works at the Fredericka Supported Housing residence.
One item on the negative side was the fact the vaccine is relatively new and not tested in the long-term. Another was the question about side effects. Or, as Elaine puts it, “I didn’t want to call and say my hair was falling out six months out.”
So, Elaine talked to her colleagues and people in the community. She acknowledges that culturally, the African-American community is a bit apprehensive about vaccines, even flu shots, though some who have suffered from pneumonia in the past will get that vaccine. “People in my community are leery about doing this kind of stuff,” Elaine remarks. “That’s our history.”
But there was also the voice of her older sister who lives in Los Angeles, where there have been nearly 14,000 COVID deaths. “She has been locked in for all this time,” Elaine says. “She has really not gone outside at all because she is high risk. She told me, ‘You’re not 25, you’re 62. If the opportunity comes, you should take it.’”
“Unfortunately, people are all over the spectrum. It came down to take the risk and die without the vaccine or take a risk and have side effects. When you weigh it out, what’s the best one? I made the decision to go for the side effects. We need to do all we can to help each other.”
Elaine realized that having the vaccine would afford her some more freedom in going back out in the community. So, she took a shot in the arm. She says it felt no worse than a tetanus shot and that the discomfort goes away. “Pittsburgh Mercy has done a fantastic job,” says Elaine. “I’m proud to be an employee.”
Elaine has been a frontline worker since the start of the pandemic. “I really feel privileged to have gotten the vaccine,” Elaine says. “The end result is I’m glad I did it. I feel I’m making a difference in my community.”
Elaine plans to continue to wear a mask and do the other things (handwashing, social distancing, and avoiding gatherings) that help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Her advice to others: ”Don’t let the opportunity go by. The choice is the vaccine or possible death. What do you want?”
Elaine Price, professional assistant, Fredericka Supported Housing residence