(sentimental piano music)
- Hi, my name is Sharon Tran.
I'm a veteran with the U.S. Army.
I worked at the Emergency Department
at the V.A. in Longbeach.
- My name is John Wells, I work for,
in Nutrition and Food Service
in different areas in the facility
and I was in the army.
- My name is Yvonne Ginez-Gonzales
I am the Chief for Quality Safety Value Service
at the V.A. Long Beach.
I'm also a 13 year Army veteran.
- Hello, I'm Howard Leak, I'm 70 years old,
I'm a United States veteran.
I work at the V.A. Hospital, Longbeach.
- So, my name is Bindu Swaroop, I work
at the V.A. Longbeach,
I am Chief of the Medicine Healthcare Group here.
- My name's Dr. Mark Cook,
I'm a psychologist, as well as a veteran
from the Marine Corps.
And I work in the Spinal Cord Injury Unit.
- I'm Mark Levinstein,
I'm the Chief of Geriatric and Extended Care.
I work in our Community Living Center,
Line Rehab, and our Patient Geriatric Clinics
with the frail elderly.
- And I decided to get the vaccine,
because I wanted to keep myself protected,
my family, and the veterans that I work with.
- Now, what motivated me was so many people dying,
and it's not just the people dying,
but all those people that are close to that individual
that is dead, all the,
all the heartache and the hardship
that they have to go through.
- My grandfather is a NAVY veteran.
He is 94 years old, and the last time I saw him
was probably the end month of March
when we first learned about the COVID,
the COVID virus.
And since then, I've not had
an opportunity to see him in person.
- I'm taking the vaccine for the coronavirus,
because I think it's in my best interest
for me and my family.
We're up in age, I'm 70 years old,
and moms is older than me,
and I don't wanna get her sick,
and something happens, because of me.
- For me, the biggest motivation is twofold.
One is to be able to know that I can safely visit my friends
and my family, start seeing my parents again,
who I've been distancing from,
for fear of giving it to them
as a healthcare worker.
- I've had COVID, I know what it's like
to have been out for two months,
to have been in the hospital for five days,
and feel really miserable.
I don't wanna feel that way ever again.
I don't want anyone else to feel that way again.
That's why I'm getting vaccinated.
(inspirational music)
- I decided to get the vaccine after some reservations,
being that the vaccine is too new in the market.
But, I've read up on with the CDC,
and some of the reports, and I feel comfortable
with the 95% efficacy.
- Forget about superstitious, forget about critics
and all that.
Do what is most healthy for you
and your loved ones,
and for the people that you're gonna be around
in a working environment
and whatever kind of limited social environment
you're gonna be in.
- When something is brand new, especially
in the scientific field,
there's always a little hesitation and concern.
But I'm really fortunate that I have access
to all the major articles, have been involved
in the discussions and conversations,
and have been able to talk with leading experts
in the COVID-19 vaccine development.
- There's a lot of information out there
regarding the side effects of this vaccine.
Only you can decide what's gonna work for you.
- Even though I have an apprehension about it,
it makes me anxious, because I have a lot
of health problems.
- I don't trust politics and politicians,
but I trust the doctors and the scientists.
So, that's why I'm gonna take my chances.
- [Woman] I was nervous at first, but I think in the end,
because of where I work,
it's a high risk factor,
and so, I wanted to make sure I get protected.
(inspirational music)
- [Man] We have to stay positive,
and I think the future is good.
I think it is gonna be bright.
If it's not bright already.
I really do feel that way.
And we have a long ways to go,
but I'm very, very happy that I got the vaccination.
- [Woman] The only way we're gonna be able to get past this
is if we all get out there and do our part.
- [Woman] I can completely understand
that many of our patients,
many of our veterans may have concerns, or anxieties,
or be nervous about receiving a vaccine that's new.
(inspirational music)
- Getting the shot was a big relief
and then of course I came down a little bit,
because I realized that I didn't have full immunity.
But I still carry that, carry that with me
as exciting, because there's more options and opporunities
on the horizon.
- I feel relieved that this,
that I just got my vaccine.
I hoping that this will be the answer to our problems.
I'm looking forward to our life going
back to normal again.
- I feel fortunate, I feel relieved.
I'm very happy it was,
when we were in the room getting our shots,
it was incredibly optimistic and very positive feeling
and a very much togetherness.
- You know, it has really been a profound experience.
Because, certainly before having the vaccine,
I was so worried about being around my grandfather,
who is a veteran.
And now, it's gonna give me some hope.
- Even though I take my shots,
I'm gonna still wear my mask and stuff like that,
and still distance myself from people
until everything is back to normal.
If it don't ever go back to normal,
then I guess, this is my normal.
- Now that I received the first dose
of the vaccine, I feel excited,
and I feel hopeful.
I finally see a light at the end of this dark tunnel
that we've been experiencing over the last 9 months.
- I thought it was important to have it.
I still think it's important to have it.
And even though I had some side effects,
I'd do it again, and I'm still gonna get the second vaccine.
(inspirational music)