Patient says: All people are talking about lately is the new COVID vaccine and the new variant. I’m just so over this. What are your thoughts about the vaccine?

Clinician says: I understand—this has been going on for a long time. What have you been hearing? I’d be interested in how you see the positives and negatives with the vaccine.

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Patient says: I don’t know if I can trust everything I read about vaccines.

Clinician says: That is a sensible approach. What questions do you have?

Patient says: I don’t really know what’s in it [the vaccine].

Clinician says: We have been giving the vaccine for almost a year and know a lot more about it now. But having questions is normal. Could you say more about your concern?

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Patient says: How did they do it so fast?

Clinician says: I realize that this is happening faster than anyone predicted, so having questions is normal. The people who developed this vaccine have been working on vaccines for two decades. It’s been in the making for a long time.

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Patient says: I just don’t trust vaccines.

Clinician says: I have heard other people say they are worried about the vaccine. Could you say more about your concern?

Patient says: I just think this has gotten really political.

Clinician says: You are right, it has gotten political. Here’s what I can say. I’ve looked at the results of the vaccine we have to offer. This vaccine does really protect people from COVID-19. I want you to have the benefit of it.

Patient says: You just never know what the side effects will be.

Clinician says: Yes, it is true that there have been some side effects. The most common side effect is some soreness at the injection site. There have been a couple of people who have had severe allergic reactions that were treated successfully. Now more than 205.8 million people have been fully vaccinated, and the serious side effects have been very rare. The vaccine that we have is proven to be safe, and I have taken it.

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Patient says: I read on social media that the risk of COVID is not that high.

Clinician says: It is true that COVID-19 can affect people mildly or severely, but some variants are more contagious than previous variants. My colleagues and I are seeing enough severe cases of COVID-19 that our hospitals are so full that they cannot do everything they would like to do for patients. There is a daily newsletter from the department of health that shows the latest numbers that I can share with you.

Patient says: I am not sure that the needs of my people have been taken into account.

Clinician says: I realize that the medical system in the United States has not treated everyone fairly in the past, and that it has been racist. I recognize the injustices that have happened in the past. We are handling the COVID vaccine differently. It has been tested in people of all different backgrounds, and it is proven to be safe for all. At this clinic/hospital we are offering the vaccine according to someone’s risk of getting COVID.

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Patient says: I have heard that you can get COVID from the vaccine.

Clinician says: I recognize that our country has a terrible history of injecting Black people with diseases. That should never happen again. This COVID vaccine is different. It has been proven to prevent infection, and I have taken it myself. Did you see the Black nurse in the newspaper getting the vaccine? She was trying to teach us all that it is safe.

Patient says: I’m just going to wait. I haven’t gotten COVID yet.

Clinician says: Of course, this is your decision. I do think that the vaccine will reduce your chances of getting a bad case of COVID, especially with the Delta and Omicron variants, and it is a step towards normal—a social life with fewer restrictions. And you mentioned that you want to visit your friends [or family]. The vaccine will help you and all of us do that sooner.

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Patient says: I just don’t think I’m going to get COVID. I’m careful.

Clinician says: I’m glad you are being careful. That is still important. However, even patients who have been careful can still get COVID, and COVID can be fatal even for healthy people. That’s why the vaccine is worth considering.