| EXEC UTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE |
Crushing COVID-19 The Vaccines Are the Shot in the Arm We All Need
E
veryone associated with health care knew, at some point, a pandemic could occur just as it did a century ago. But I don’t think any of us ever could have really predicted the challenges and urgency our medical community would face as a result of COVID-19. Now, a new tool has been added to our arsenal to fight the virus. Vaccines with proven efficacy are now available, and that shifts the challenge to getting them into arms to protect health care workers. In some cases, however, that challenge also entails getting some members of our health care community to open their minds so that they will agree to roll up their sleeves. SSVMS jumped into action when it became apparent that there wasn’t a clear path for getting the vaccine to physicians not affiliated with a hospital. We partnered with UC Davis Health and in less than 24 hours had a vaccine clinic open for community physicians and their staff. By early February we have already facilitated appointments for over 1,500 independent physicians and medical practice staff to get their first dose, and by the time you read this we will have helped make the vaccine available to hundreds more. One somewhat surprising obstacle we have faced, however, is the hesitancy among some health care workers about receiving the vaccine. Physicians have been mostly receptive to taking the vaccine, but some members of the health care community have raised safety concerns about it. In response, SSVMS has launched a COVID-19 vaccine acceptance campaign with information that can help persuade reluctant health care staff and patients that not only is getting the vaccine safe, it’s the right thing to do to keep everyone safe. The resources available include a frequently asked questions sheet (see the 6
Sierra Sacramento Valley Medicine
By Aileen Wetzel awetzel@ssvms.org
opposite page) with talking points that can be used to address common concerns about the different vaccines now available. You can access the latest version quickly by pointing your phone’s camera at the QR code. The bottom line is that your chances of becoming sick or put in a life-threatening condition are exponentially higher if you don’t get the vaccine than if you do. Serious reactions to the vaccine have been a very small percentage of the number administered, and most have been quickly resolved. We’re also helping you spread the word that the vaccine is safe and that you’re so confident about that, you’ve gotten the vaccine yourself. We’ve put a twist on the “I Voted” stickers handed out during the election and are offering all our members—at no cost—“Crushing COVID-19, Got My Vaccine!” lapel and lab coat buttons. We’d be happy to drop some off along with FAQ cards at your practice location. Simply email Dana Brooks, SSVMS director of physician engagement, at dbrooks@ssvms.org and we’ll make it happen. I know we are all looking forward to better times ahead as the vaccines start to reduce the incidence of COVID-19. But I also want to look back for a moment at 2020, which was a remarkable year in so many ways. We saw our members take on a variety of challenges, and SSVMS was there with you every step of the way. We’ve listed some of our accomplishments over the past year on the opposite page. But while we’re proud of what we could do, we’re even prouder of what all our members did to treat thousands of patients, comfort them in difficult times, endure through long hours of distress, and provide quality care to our community. Some tough times lay ahead, but the outlook is brighter. Please join us in our campaign to literally give us all the shot in the arm we need to defeat COVID-19.