UNITED FOR IMMUNITY! 1199 NURSING HOME WORKERS ARE MAKING PROGRESS WITH COVID-19 VACCINE!

It’s roughly one year after the COVID-19 pandemic peaked in New York and the state continues to make good progress vaccinating all New Yorkers, particularly health care workers. Nursing home workers are getting it done! Currently, 87% of nursing home residents and 58% of staff are fully vaccinated. This is great progress for staff and residents who were so severely impacted by the pandemic. Additionally, many nursing home workers were initially nervous about taking the vaccine, but they have stepped up to protect themselves, their families, and their residents.

Many 1199SEIU chapters are leading the way with the percent of staff vaccinations. Check out their progress!

Congratulations to all 1199 members who continue to encourage their coworkers to get vaccinated! We still have work to do to get all nursing home staff vaccinated, but 1199ers are working hard to increase these numbers. Let’s keep up our good work. The current New York Department of Health policy requires facilities to offer all residents and staff the opportunity to get vaccinated. Let’s keep moving forward so we can keep each other safe and enjoy spending time with family and friends.

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COMBATTING COVID-19 MISINFORMATION

There are many reasons why some people are still nervous about taking the COVID-19 vaccine: they are worried about side effects; they don’t like getting shots; the vaccines were developed quickly; and mistrust of the medical system among many people of color.

When we hear co-workers, family, or friends spreading misinformation, we should talk with this person because they are ultimately preventing others from protecting themselves and their family from COVID-19.

But there is also vaccine hesitancy caused by vaccine misinformation. These false ideas and conspiracy theories about the vaccines often start online and are intended to create nervousness about the vaccine. You may have heard some of these, such as how the vaccines can change your DNA, or the vaccine contains a microchip. A lot of these may sound silly to us, but many people believe them and, as a result, they are less likely to get vaccinated. When we hear co-workers, family, or friends spreading misinformation, we should talk with this person because they are ultimately preventing others from protecting themselves and their family from COVID-19. We should share facts about the vaccine and suggest the Center for Disease Control as a source of reliable COVID-19 information. Click here for the facts. However, we have learned that facts alone are not enough for many people, and what is more important is the relationships we have with people either spreading or believing misinformation. Your own experience with the vaccine is the best way to combat misinformation so share it when you hear someone saying wild theories about the vaccine. Check out these tips from the CDC for talking to friends and family about COVID-19.

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Q: Do I need to get a COVID-19 booster shot?

A: Not yet. The vaccine makers have suggested booster shots may be needed in the future, but right now the CDC advises need for and timing for COVID-19 booster doses have not been established. No additional doses are recommended at this time.