My greatest vaccine moment was driving my 95-year old grandparents to the Lanman Center for their COVID-19 vaccine doses and knowing that it would soon be safe for me to hug them again. Being aware of the dangers the virus posed for the elderly, having the opportunity to help them secure vaccine appointments and being with them as they received their shots was an experience that I will cherish forever.
Leah Puklin, Ph.D. student in Chronic Disease Epidemiology
I received my vaccine dose at Cedars-Sinai in May. I waited my turn because I knew it was important for vulnerable communities to have access to this lifesaving vaccine. When the first dose was in my arm, I reminisced about the year I spent alone and looked ahead at the possible future I would have with my loved ones. When the second dose was in my arm, I was cautiously relieved. This vaccine saves lives.
Jon Andre Sabio Parrilla, M.P.H. student in Social and Behavioral Sciences
My vaccine moment was at Walmart; I was so excited to finally have the opportunity to get the shot. The pharmacy staff was extremely kind and explained every step of the process, from the paperwork to the short-term side effects of each dose. I decided to get the vaccine because I wanted to protect myself as much as possible as well as protect those who are vulnerable and at risk like my dad.
Simileoluwa Falako, M.P.H. student in Social and Behavioral Sciences
I got two doses of the Pfizer vaccine in the Yale Health Vaccine Clinic by February this year. The whole process is well organized by the amazing medical team. Every step, from entering and signing up, to vaccinating and waiting for observation, was guided by friendly team members. Really appreciate their hard work! When I requested to take a photo to memorialize the wonderful moment, they even thanked me for being vaccinated. It was such a heartwarming experience.
Pengfei Guo, Ph.D. student in Environmental Health Sciences
“Ouch!! That hurt,” I thought to myself as the needle discovered its path through my arm. I didn’t expect it to hurt. I had been watching the lovely grandmother before me smile through her shot while narrating how she missed her cat. I hid my true expression of pain and smiled. After all, I was fortunate; the queue behind me was full of people not sure there would be enough vaccine for them today.
Barbara Odac, M.D., M.P.H. student in the Advanced Professional Program
As a doctor, I have always felt that prevention is more important than cure. This conviction was strengthened when the pandemic completely disheveled our way of living with no end in sight unless a vaccine was made. Hence the sense of relief my family and I felt when I administered the first dose of the vaccine to my dadi (paternal grandmother, 80 years old) was so overwhelming that the moment has been etched in my memory forever.
Dharmi Desai, M.B.B.S., M.P.H. student in Health Policy
Going back home every day from my work at the hospital, my mind was filled with terrifying thoughts of what if I’m carrying the infection back home to my family. So I was waiting for the vaccine to reach Egypt and when it did I applied on the governmental website, received my first shot three days later and I was thinking that I really miss my parents’ hugs, and maybe I can hug them soon.
Ehsan Abualanain, M.P.H. student in the Advanced Professional Program
After months of being a traveling EMT responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, I started work at the Florida Department of Health, where I’ve been the lead of COVID-19 Vaccine Logistics in my county for the past six months. My first dose was especially emotional: Not only did it represent hope that I’d soon be able to hug my grandparents, but I was vaccinated at one of our locations—a setting that I have put countless hours of work into helping create.
Sydney Steel, M.P.H. student in Social and Behavioral Sciences
I received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine this past May at a Walgreens in Washington, D.C. As I sat down to receive my first dose, I spoke with the nurse and what followed was a sobering conversation about their medical career and my aspiring one in public health. Such a brief moment bred a connection that—while seemingly small and insignificant—really touched me in a way I had not expected.
Noelle Serino, M.P.H. student in Social and Behavioral Sciences
I received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at Walgreens so I would be less likely to be infected with the virus or serve as a vector of spread to both my immediate family members and community. The authorized vaccines are the key tool that will help bring an end to this devastating pandemic and have offered hope to the millions of Americans receiving vaccines each day and to those who will have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated in the weeks ahead.
Natalie Makableh, M.P.H. student in Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases
I vividly remember arriving at the drive-thru clinic in my hometown in December. My first appointment for the Pfizer vaccine felt like I was making history, as I was given the opportunity to be among the first in my county to receive it. After having an aunt become severely ill from COVID-19, and having an uncle pass away from it, I was determined to do my part in stopping COVID-19’s spread.
MiChaela Barker, M.P.H. student in Health Care Management
As a mental health practitioner, I received my vaccine early on. While I was grateful, I was more concerned about my father accessing the vaccine. Due to his age, he fell within a high-risk category so I limited regular contact with him during the pandemic. After receiving my vaccine, I felt relief. I felt relief because this allowed me to spend more time with my father without fear of unknowingly giving him COVID-19.
Kristopher McLucas, L.C.S.W., M.P.H. student in the Advanced Professional Program
I received my first dose at the Nepean Sportsplex in Ottawa, Ontario. It was surreal to be where I had previously competed in countless swim meets as a teenager, now lined up to receive my shot alongside the most people I had seen in one place in over a year. As I left, I felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders. Thank you to the public health staff who have been working tirelessly!
Olivia Canie, M.P.H. student in Health Policy and Management
Waiting for my shot in the old shoe department of a closed retail (my area’s vaccination center) was surreal. I would shop there with my parents as a child, memories that felt more distant than just the time passed. After my shot, I was awash in relief, which was quickly overcome by pride in our public health system. Finally hugging my parents and holding my 18-month-old nephew were my real “vaccine moments.”
Matthew McGarrity, student in the Executive MPH Program
I got my vaccine at my university hospital—I had the opportunity to receive it in February due to my internship. I’m so thankful I was able to get my vaccine early because it meant I could go home and visit my parents with far less stress than I had anticipated. My vaccine series was thankfully relatively painless. I experienced soreness only after the first dose, and a little sleepiness after my second.
Yashna Nainani, M.P.H. student in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Managing the vaccine clinic at the Shriners for Children Medical Center in Los Angeles was such an overwhelming experience. Seeing all staff come together to receive some of the first doses of the vaccine after such a difficult year was an emotional yet promising moment as we edged closer toward the end of the pandemic and were able to continue providing safer care to our patients. A fun fact is that I received my YSPH scholarship offer on the same day as my second dose!
Michael Bayeh, M.P.H. student in the Advanced Professional Program
I had always thought to myself that if someone offered me a COVID-19 vaccine right there and then, I would take it, and that is exactly what happened. I was conducting research in my local vaccination clinic when the director informed me they had angel shots that day. I accepted my dose with zero hesitation and with the utmost gratitude —being vaccinated is such a privilege!
Ingeborg Hyde, M.P.H. student in Health Care Management
The day I received my first dose of the vaccine was the moment Connecticut became the first state to vaccinate all residents and staff in nursing homes. Soon after I was vaccinated, Gov. Ned Lamont was standing at the entrance to where I work, aptly named LiveWell. Staff were asked to finish the statement, “I got COVID-19 vaccinated because …” I wrote: “I care.” A simple answer that encompassed my feelings about family, others, my community and the world.
Thomas Hayden, student in the online Executive MPH Program