"I leave the door open as a possibility that there may be people with bad intentions behind these vaccines," nurse Melissa Anne told Insider.
Why some healthcare workers refuse a COVID-19 vaccination
Counterintuitively, vaccine skepticism is higher than average among those working in a healthcare setting. For example, 60% of nursing-home workers in Ohio decided against a vaccine in December, Gov. Mike DeWine said. Insider spoke with healthcare who are hesitant to be vaccinated, and asked medical professionals who have already been vaccinated about their experience.
Photo: i.insider.com
Hear from those who didn't decline
"After months fighting this virus and witnessing so much loss, it was emotional to finally get the vaccine," said Meenal Viz. She encourages everyone she knows to get the shot.
"I want to be one of the first people to do it so I can pass on that comfort to someone else so that they will also be encouraged to go for it."
Pediatrician Hanita Oh-Tan said the vaccine felt less painful than a flu shot, and ICU nurse practitioner Cassie Lewis said she barely felt the shot.
Dr. Michael Bernstein from Connecticut said he had muscle soreness for about 24 hours after the shot, as did Dr. Katie Passaretti from North Carolina.
Disproving Misinformation
Healthcare isn't the only field facing resistance
The vaccine is not compulsory to troops, but the DOD wants to "help them understand the benefits."
Receiving the vaccine is voluntary, but most companies have strongly encouraged employees get the immunization when it's their turn.