Many New Yorkers choose to get vaccinated: here’s why.

By Grace Cleary

March 12, 2021

New York State is taking charge. The state has fully vaccinated 1.9 million people and administering over five million doses so far. According to the Capital Region Vax website, about 278,800 doses have been administered in the capital region as of February 28.

The vaccines come with their own challenges, as they are difficult to store and administer. The Pfizer vaccine is stored in the inpatient pharmacy, in a special freezer that produces sub-zero temperatures.

Tammy Dubinsky, a pharmacist at Saint Peters Hospital in Albany, gives more insight into the process of administering the vaccine as a healthcare worker, on the front lines.

“Though pharmacists can administer vaccines, only nurses have been administering vaccines. Pharmacists have been reconstituting the vaccine for the nurses though, and drawing up the doses to help them,” Dubinsky said.

The vaccination process for the healthcare workers in the hospitals was convenient and efficient. Healthcare workers were sent a computer link to sign up and made their appointments online. There was a covid clinic set up on the first floor of Saint Peter’s.

Dubinsky makes a plea to the public to get their vaccines and the importance of getting the vaccine from her perspective as a healthcare worker.

“They[the vaccine] are safe, they’re effective. Get vaccinated because the coronavirus is replicating… This is why we have such a great America...we have been getting vaccinated since I was born (1964), that’s [vaccinations] why we’re healthy and able to live a good life and travel,” said Dubinsky.

College student Ryann Hotaling (18) shares similar thoughts on the importance of the vaccine.

“Ultimately it's just the best thing to do [getting vaccinated] to work towards herd immunity after all the elderly and at-risk people are vaccinated, I feel like I can move to the point where it’s ok for me to get vaccinated as well,” Hotaling said.

Some essential workers outside of the healthcare field have also been eligible to get the vaccine. As Ryann Hotaling, who is also a grocery store worker, was just recently vaccinated.

“I work two jobs. One of them is food service, but I also work at Empire Wine and Liquor which is considered open retail/grocery so that’s how I was able to get it,” she said.

Hotaling’s concluding thoughts on the vaccine is a message many people have been echoing:

“...getting vaccinated is the best thing to do for yourself and for your health, and for the other people around you.”