“Your doubts are generated by fear,
and fear is a series of distorted thoughts."
Leandra Medine
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Beginning today, all New Mexicans, age 16 and older, are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, as the state opens Phase 2 of the vaccine priority list. All the earlier priority groups remain eligible. According to the Department of Health, part of the reason for opening Phase 2 is because providers in some parts of the state are no longer able to fill appointments with only folks in the Phase 1A, B, and C groups. The Wall Street Journal's vaccine tracking project forecasts that, at our current rate of vaccination, about half the state's population will have received at least one dose of vaccine by early May, and 75% by early summer. At present, roughly a third of the state's adult residents have been fully vaccinated.
But there's still a lot of hesitancy about getting a shot which is hampering efforts in some communities. And as the supply of vaccine increases, there's a growing risk that doses will sit unused, new variants will develop, and unnecessary infections and illness will continue to occur.
Usha Lee McFarling, a writer at the online health newsletter STAT, offers some suggestions for how to talk to people who may be hesitant about being vaccinated. She cautions, however, that the conversation can be difficult. “This can be a messy, emotional, difficult space.”
Her first suggestion is to pick your battles. Some people are dead-set against receiving any vaccines and are unlikely to change their minds no matter what you say or do. Still, there are plenty of people in the middle, the so-called “vaccine hesitant,” who may just want more information or may be waiting until more people they know are vaccinated before they step up. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates about 22% of people are in the "wait and see" group, and it’s this group that’s worth focusing your efforts on.
Avoid lecturing and don’t assume you know what their concerns are. Just listen without judgment. “Try to address their concerns, not what you assume are their concerns,” recommends Jorge Moreno, an internist and assistant professor at the Yale University School of Medicine. Not everyone's concerns are conspiracy-based. Moreno says the most common questions he's been asked have centered around side effects and whether the vaccines might make people too sick to work.
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Pediatrician and public health advocate Rhea Boyd suggests keeping things simple. “If people think they might get COVID from the vaccines, it’s because they don’t understand it’s not a live vaccine. If people are asking about the costs, it’s clear they don’t understand the vaccines are free.”
Don’t focus on science. That's the advice of Heidi Larson, an anthropologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. “Facts by themselves rarely do anything, and sometimes they aggravate the situation because people feel like you are not listening to their concerns. Science alone is not going to change the minds of those with strong beliefs.” She suggests appealing to altruism. For example, we can point out that getting vaccinated will help protect family members and others in the community. “Some people are more willing to take the vaccine if you say, ‘It’s not for you, it’s for your grandmother,’ or ‘It’s for those you work with.’”
Another suggestion is to avoid making people feel foolish about their possible lack of information. “No matter what, this is a brand-new virus and these are brand-new vaccines. It’s reasonable for people to have concerns,” says Dr. Larson. “Take a deep breath and just hear people out. Everyone’s had a rough year one way or another. People are worn down, and we need to help each other.”
And, if all else fails, focus on the future. Suggesting that, once enough people are vaccinated, we'll all be able to celebrate birthdays and holidays together again may make getting a shot worth it for some folks.
People's hesitancy most likely comes from doubt and their doubt most likely comes from fear. Fear isn't always logical and it isn't always fact-based. As Dr. Larson reminds us, it's been a tough year for everyone.
Remember, we're each a role model, whether we realize it or not. One of the best things we can do is to role model thoughtfulness and common sense. That, alone, may be all that someone needs to see to overcome their hesitancy about being vaccinated.
In gratitude for all that you do.
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Thank you for your vigilance. We want you to stay safe,
healthy, and informed.
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Tips for Registering for Vaccination
To Register:
Everyone who wants to receive the COVID-19 vaccination needs to register with the Department of Health through their vaccine registration portal. You'll receive a text and/or email with a seven-digit confirmation code. Remember this code.
To Be Vaccinated:
Not all vaccination events are being conducted by the Department of Health although all registrations must still go through the Department's registration portal. As health care providers and pharmacies receive supplies of vaccine, they will conduct vaccination events, coordinating those events through the Department's portal.
Each vaccination event is given a unique EVENT CODE which is required to sign up for a vaccination. Once you have an event code, log into your registration and click on Schedule your Appointment. You will be asked to enter the event code, then click the blue Find Event button.
The Health Department will also send texts if they determine that a particular event has unused vaccine doses. This is a last minute, first-come-first-served opportunity, however. Reply to the text and you may be able to secure an immediate appointment. Be prepared to get to the site as quickly as possible.
Day of the Event:
On the day of your scheduled vaccination, you must fill out a Medical Questionnaire, which you will find when you log into your account through the vaccine registration portal. The questionnaire can only be completed on the day of, and must be completed prior to, your vaccination.
You will be given a vaccination card that lists the vaccine manufacturer and lot number of the vaccine you will receive, and your date of vaccination. It also includes the date for your second vaccination. Keep the card in a safe place.
If you have questions, email Lauren. She will answer emails as quickly as she can.
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If You're Looking for a Shot . . .
We've heard from folks who've used it that the vaccine search website, Dr. B, is an effective tool for finding available COVID-19 vaccine. Billed as "The Standby List for Leftover Vaccines," the site asks for some basic demographic information in an effort to connect people with unused doses of vaccine.
If you receive a vaccination through an event that isn't affiliated with the Department of Health, please update your vaccination profile with the date of your vaccination(s). The information is used to help determine both the number of vaccine doses still needed by the state as well as the number of people who have been vaccinated.
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We Need to Hear From You!
Although all travel is strongly discouraged under New Mexico’s Public Health orders as well as CDC guidelines, we know some volunteers will be traveling. Please let Lauren know about any plans you have that will require you to be away from Kitchen Angels. The sooner you let her know, the easier it will be to ensure we have no holes in coverage.
We will continue to make case-by-case determinations for how long volunteers need to quarantine after traveling or other activities. For New Mexico Department of Health information on the risk status of other states click here.
If you're not sure about how to answer one of the items on the assessment, check with Lauren. We'd rather you refrain from volunteering than risk infecting staff, other volunteers, or clients.
Even if you've been vaccinated, we're all still at risk of contracting the virus.
If you need to self-quarantine, please do! It's not just Kitchen Angels that may be at risk but your friends, colleagues and others.
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Before you return to Kitchen Angels,
take a moment and ask yourself . . .
- Am I able to work a full shift wearing a face mask?
- Can I hear well enough from six feet away if the other person is speaking through a face mask?
- Am I willing to work a different shift than the one I previously worked?
- Can I commit to showing up to my shift on-time and without canceling at the last minute?
- Can I adapt to a new environment and new routine?
- Can I reliably communicate with the Volunteer Coordinator?
- Do I feel safe being back in the public sphere?
- Can I maintain appropriate risk-mitigating practices when I'm not at Kitchen Angels?
If you answer "NO" to any of these questions, you're not ready to return. If you're not sure, check with Lauren.
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