May 17, 2021 by Tessa Hughes

In April the United States officially made the COVID-19 vaccine available to anyone over the age of 16 who wanted it in all states. On that same day, over half of the U.S’s population had already received at least one dose.



Currently, three vaccines are being offered nationwide: Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Both Moderna and Pfizer have been proven to be over 90% effective at combating the virus and preventing death and Johnson & Johnson has been proven to 66.3% effective at combating the virus and highly effective at preventing hospitalization or death due to the virus.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was paused in early April by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after a small number of rare and severe blood clots were reported from recipients. However, after a safety review, the vaccine pause has been lifted and cleared by both the FDA and CDC.  

The vaccine, even before the Johnson & Johnson pause, made people hesitant to receive it. The pause, despite being lifted, prompted even more worry. However, medical professionals are addressing people’s concerns and urging them to get it. 

Michelle Shoresman, the Division Manager for Health Care Access and the Public Information Team for COVID-19 at the San Luis Obispo County’s Public Health department, says that the vaccine is “the best tool we have at protecting our population,” especially those who are higher risk. 

“These groups include the elderly, those with certain medical conditions and people of color,” said Shoresman. 

Doctor Aydin Nazmi, an epidemiologist and the Presidential Faculty Fellow for COVID-19 Response and Preparedness at Cal Poly, tries to equate getting the COVID-19 vaccine to getting any other vaccination. 

“I would recommend anybody who's eligible – get it. There's no question. In terms of why? I think it's kind of self-explanatory. It's the same reason you get the Polio, Smallpox and every other vaccine that you get that nobody really questions,” said Nazmi.

“In what other situation would you say no to something that is potentially life-saving for you and for the people around you. That’s how vaccines work.”

— dr. aydin nazmi

This same reasoning is why journalism junior Hannah Frye opted into getting vaccinated. 

“If you would let a brain surgeon operate on you, you trust that they've done the adequate training and research. If you've gotten literally any other vaccine ever, which most of us have, you trusted science,” said Frye. 

Nazmi defends the research conducted as a reason in favor of receiving the vaccine. 

“If it was very low efficacy, or if there were mixed studies … then I would kind of understand the argument. But all of the data that we have … for every vaccine that we have on the market in the United States ... [is] really good and very convincing. So the anti-vaccine argument is really weak,” said Nazmi.

He says that anti-vaxers tend to gain more attention simply because they “talk a little bit louder.” Frye says that, for this reason, she understands how it can affect people’s decision-making process. 

“It's easy to get caught up in the anti-vaccine culture when there are conspiracies getting thrown around on social media. But, at the end of the day, the opinion of people making TikToks about how the government is putting trackers in us doesn't outweigh the millions of medical professionals who are telling us it's safe,” said Frye.

Sociology junior Laura Nunes also reasoned that doctors and companies alike wouldn’t be pushing so hard for the vaccine if there would be serious consequences when getting it. 

“That seems like a lot of lawsuits. I just don’t think CDC or Pfizer or whoever else would want to deal with that or put out a bad product,” said Nunes. 

Women specifically have been nervous about getting vaccinated because rumors were spread that it can negatively influence their potential fertility. However, Shoresman assures that these rumors are false. 

“While there is still much to learn about the virus and the long term impacts of vaccination, all three vaccines have undergone rigorous testing and safety studies on people (men, women, people of color, etc.) and there is no evidence to indicate any impact on fertility,” said Shoresman. 

Nazmi agrees, and says that “there is no indication that special risks groups exist” when discussing whether or not women should be wary. 

Journalism junior Daytona Clark prioritized her current health over any potential future risks when deciding to get vaccinated. 

“This isn't a huge concern for me, even if I want to have kids in the future. I'm more concerned about my health right now, and doing my part [to] having more community members vaccinated,” said Clark. 

So far in San Luis Obispo County, getting vaccinated has led to a drop in hospitalizations and deaths countywide, according to Shoresman.

Journalism junior Lindsey Shepard said that getting vaccinated felt like her “civic duty” and described her experience getting her shots. 

“At the vaccine site, there was a tangible feeling of hope in the air – here we all were, one year after lockdown started, lined up to get a viable method of protection.”

“ I had a distinct feeling that the worst of the pandemic was over and that spring (in the metaphorical and literal sense) had finally arrived.”

— lindsey shepard

This feeling of hope was a shared reaction amongst other recipients, and political science junior Chloe Comstock said she felt blessed to have the chance to receive it. 

“I was overwhelmed by a feeling of joy and peace. Peace knowing that every time I go home to my parents who are over 60 I don't have to fear that I might spread the virus to them. Peace knowing that if I forget to hand sanitize after going into Target, it's not the end of the world. Peace knowing that despite the last year of having everything out of my control, I was finally able to gain control of my life,” said Chomstock.