Several Mount Michael teachers were vaccinated with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine on March 6, along with 7000 other teachers in the metro area. The vaccine was approved for emergency use on Feb 27 according to the FDA.
“Just having it be done is exciting, and I’m surprised it was done so fast,” technology teacher Gina Fosco said. “I think my dad is more excited than I was as we can now get my family together again.”
Fosco gave it some thought before she gave up her spot on the original list for teachers of the archdiocese when the Johnson and Johnson vaccine became available.
“At first, you see 64 percent and 90 percent and of course 90 percent is better,” she said “However, Fauci said that all the vaccines were 100 percent effective in preventing serious injury and hospitalization. That is what pushed me to receive the Johnson-Johnson vaccine.”
Some staff members were able to get the vaccinated earlier including all the counselors as they are considered mental health practitioners and were in an earlier group.
“I got the vaccine both for myself and for others,” government teacher Holly Toft said. “I have an autoimmune disorder that puts me at higher risk. I also want to be able to protect others and move toward returning to normal,”
Toft received the Pfizer vaccine, and to her, the choice to get it was a no-brainer.
“The vaccine has provided me with a major peace of mind,” she said. “I put myself at risk every day being at school because I am considered high risk. I have also spent very little time with my family since March 2020. I can now visit my family again as most of them have also been vaccinated.”
Director of technology, Thomas Rzemyk received the Moderna vaccine along with the monks in January, as a support staff member. To him, protecting those around him was a major reason as to why he was eager to get the vaccine.
“I decided to get vaccinated for many reasons,” he said. “The main reason is I felt it was my personal responsibility and duty to humanity since we are in the middle of a pandemic. Further, I also have family with compromised immune systems and receiving the vaccine better protects my home base and family from infection.
As the war against the coronavirus continues, more and more people are expected to receive any of the three vaccines.
“I think it is important for everyone eligible to try and get vaccinated against COVID-19,” Rzemyk said. “However, I also support an individual’s right to not get vaccinated if they choose not to.”
