Young people thrilled to get vaccine
While U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson may have trouble convincing some of his peers that solving the COVID-19 crisis includes vaccinations, no convincing was needed for four young Vacaville grocery store employees who eagerly rolled up a sleeve Thursday at the Solano County Fairgrounds.
Daniel Duggan,17, lifetime friend Aaron Kitzes, 16, and their work colleague Riley Weissich, 20, strolled in together for their second Pfizer dose.
Another Vacaville resident in the same line of work, UC Davis freshman Nick Finnegan, 19, was also among the latest allowed inoculations.
The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for 16-17 year old individuals, with parent consent, and those age 18 and over who are part of the eligible work tier group only at this time.
The Moderna vaccine is authorized only for 18-yearold and over individuals who are part of the eligible work tier group only at this time.
Those deemed eligible in previous tiers remain eligible for vaccinations.
There was no reluctance, Duggan said, not with customers he assists “who are iffy and don’t wear their masks. Even though it (COVID-19) might not kill me, I don’t want to get the side effects and spread it to people.”
Duggan said some in his age group are unselfishly waiting until older demographics are completely vaccinated. However, he saw a scheduled opening and seized the day.
“Honestly, it’s free, it doesn’t hurt and I haven’t had any side effects,” he said. “I don’t see any problem with getting it.”
Duggan said his concern about the global pandemic began when he heard about the first case in Marin County.
“I was kind of nervous it was already over here,” he said.
It has taken its emotional toll, Duggan added.
“I’m not really a depressed person, but my mental health is a little bit ‘different’ than usual,” said the Will C. Wood High School senior.
Weissich said “it wasn’t difficult at all” deciding to get vaccinated. Her mother recently got her first dose and her father, as a first responder, “got it awhile ago.”
Sitting post-second dose in the observation area at Expo Hall, Weissich said she felt fine.
“So far, so good,” she said. “I’ll let you know in the next six minutes.”
Kitzes, a Wood High School junior, said his company encouraged employees to get vaccinated, though “I already wanted it.”
There is a relief after taking the second dose, he said.
“My dad had both shots earlier because he’s a health care worker and my mom got her first shot. It’s comforting that we’re not in too much danger right now,” Kitzes said. “It’s much better than getting sick or dying. I feel that if I get this vaccine, I’m also doing my parents a favor. I feel this is everybody doing their part of helping each other.”
As a musician, it’s been “really hard” ever since high school’s Spring Musical had a show March 12, 2020, and everything since was canceled, Kitzes said.
“I feel like I was shot that day. Now things are better and I’m recovering,” he said.
Finnegan, a former baseball player at Vacaville High School, said that when his graduation was canceled, “I knew it was pretty serious” and he continued to follow the pandemic “as closely as I can. I definitely stay on top with what’s happening in the world.”
Majoring in neurology/physiology/behavior as a pre-med freshman, Finnegan said he “prays it’ll be like it was a year and a half ago and I pray we can get things back to normal. Right now, it’s not looking like we will. I definitely hope it will change and I’m worried it won’t. Only time will tell.”
Rep. Thompson said by phone from his Napa office Wednesday that “other than a few bumps,” the vaccine roll-out is accelerating.
“I think we do better every day,” Thompson said, satisfied that the nation reached 100 million inoculations by March 19.
It would have helped, said Thompson, if former President Donald Trump had publicized and promoted getting vaccinated in January.
“He had another mission and that was to make sure he got re-elected. He was less concerned about the health and safety of the American people,” Thompson said.
President Joe Biden “is trying to use the best science we have” and that “getting beyond COVID is our No. 1 priority,” Thompson said.
Different strains seen in other countries “is certainly a concern,” Thompson said, emphasizing that while Americans “have sacrificed a lot, we can’t let our guard down.”
Vaccinations continue through the weekend at the Solano County Fairgrounds’ Expo Hall.
For more information, call (707) 784-8600 visit www.solanocounty.com/ depts/ph/coronavirus_ links/covid_19_vaccines.asp