16 N A T I O N A L N U R S E W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G J A N U A R Y | F E B R U A R Y | M A R C H 2 0 2 1
WHEN THE FIRST Covid-19 vaccines started
rolling out in December, nurses still had a lot of
unanswered questions and there were still many
unknowns. National Nurses United's health and
safety and nursing practice departments stayed
on top of the science and relayed as much
information as possible, with the understanding
that while NNU generally encourages vaccination,
nurses must ultimately decide for themselves if
and when to get inoculated. Nurses spoke by
baring their arms; given how poorly employers
and government had protected nurses so far and
the enormous risks nurses were already bearing
on the job, taking the Covid-19 vaccine was a
concrete step to increase their health and safety.
As always, the vaccine is important, but just one
component of a comprehensive infectious
disease control program that NNU will continue
to demand. Here we share some thoughts and
photos from nurse leaders on getting vaccinated.
TAKING YOUR
BEST SHOT
I WASN'T going to get
vaccinated. I thought
I have Bell's palsy and
I am immune suppressed.
This vaccine can cause
neurological damage.
But my daughter said
something to me that
struck a bell. "Mom,
neurological damage
or death? I prefer
having you here."
—Marissa Lee, RN
Gina Macalino, RN
Covid-19 vaccinations are an important part of a comprehensive
infectious disease control program
Dolores Trujillo, RN
Marissa Lee, RN
Dahlia Tayag, RN Michael Jackson, RN Candy Matzke, RN
