1/
Yesterday in clinic I saw many patients.
All of them living with #HIV.
All Black.
None of them vaccinated for #COVID19.
We engaged in conversations about their reasons for not getting vaccinated.
Yesterday in clinic I saw many patients.
All of them living with #HIV.
All Black.
None of them vaccinated for #COVID19.
We engaged in conversations about their reasons for not getting vaccinated.
2/
Some wanted more time to assess the after effects of the vaccine.
Some felt there was no reason to be vaccinated if they could still catch the virus.
Some saw the after effects of the vaccine impact their loved ones more than the virus itself.
Some wanted more time to assess the after effects of the vaccine.
Some felt there was no reason to be vaccinated if they could still catch the virus.
Some saw the after effects of the vaccine impact their loved ones more than the virus itself.
3/
I listened to each and every one of their reasons.
While I encouraged them to get the vaccine, I didn't use scare tactics to do so.
I also didn't try to guilt or judge them into compliance.
One thing was clear, however.
None of them were "anti-vaxxers."
I listened to each and every one of their reasons.
While I encouraged them to get the vaccine, I didn't use scare tactics to do so.
I also didn't try to guilt or judge them into compliance.
One thing was clear, however.
None of them were "anti-vaxxers."
4/
None of them were conspiracy theorists.
No one uttered the word "Tuskeegee" during their visit.
What it came down to was a decisional balance.
A weighing of the potential risk of catching the virus vs. the perceived risk and benefits from getting the vaccine.
None of them were conspiracy theorists.
No one uttered the word "Tuskeegee" during their visit.
What it came down to was a decisional balance.
A weighing of the potential risk of catching the virus vs. the perceived risk and benefits from getting the vaccine.
5/
For some, the perceived threat of catching COVID19 did not outweigh fear of the unknown with a newly developed vaccine.
No matter what the science says.
One 30-year-old patient told me that in the past few months, his mother and father were both diagnosed with COVID19.
For some, the perceived threat of catching COVID19 did not outweigh fear of the unknown with a newly developed vaccine.
No matter what the science says.
One 30-year-old patient told me that in the past few months, his mother and father were both diagnosed with COVID19.
6/
He also had a brother who was a recent recipient of an organ transplant and was on immunosuppressants.
But they all live in other states.
For him, that wasn't enough.
I shared with him how I witnessed a dear friend die from COVID19 after turning 40 last year.
He also had a brother who was a recent recipient of an organ transplant and was on immunosuppressants.
But they all live in other states.
For him, that wasn't enough.
I shared with him how I witnessed a dear friend die from COVID19 after turning 40 last year.
7/
For me, that was all I needed to convince me to get the vaccine when it became available.
His mouth dropped and his eyes filled with sorrow.
"I'm sorry about your friend," he said, nodding his head.
"That would make me wanna get it too."
For me, that was all I needed to convince me to get the vaccine when it became available.
His mouth dropped and his eyes filled with sorrow.
"I'm sorry about your friend," he said, nodding his head.
"That would make me wanna get it too."
8/
Yesterday in clinic I saw many patients.
I successfully convinced none of them to get the COVID19 vaccine.
Did I feel like a failure on some levels? Sure.
But you know what?
We heard each other.
They still wore masks.
They all understood public health.
We good.
Yesterday in clinic I saw many patients.
I successfully convinced none of them to get the COVID19 vaccine.
Did I feel like a failure on some levels? Sure.
But you know what?
We heard each other.
They still wore masks.
They all understood public health.
We good.
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