Physician Profiles
Arm Yourself: Dr. Charest’s COVID-19 Story
A message from Dr. Tina Charest, Southcoast Health Family Medicine Provider on how to arm yourself against COVID-19.
“The day my husband, also a physician, was offered the vaccine, he went in to wait in line a half hour before the doors even opened,” said Dr. Charest. “I have never felt relief like I did the moment he sent me his selfie of him getting the first dose. At least one of us was going to be OK. Two weeks later, I shed tears when I got mine. Getting vaccinated gave us hope again.
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is more important than ever
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is more important than ever. The Delta variant, the most recent variant of COVID-19 causing our country’s current surge, is proving to be far more contagious than any of the previously identified variants. To get COVID-19 under control and our lives back to normal, we will need the vast majority of Americans to receive a vaccine as soon as possible.
The current vaccines continue to be remarkably effective at preventing both serious illness and hospitalization from the Delta variant. Hospitals across the country are seeing increased rates of young, unvaccinated men and women being hospitalized with the Delta variant. The vast majority of those being hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines have been studied extensively and have been proven to be both safe and effective. It is very clear that the risks of COVID-19 infection are far greater than any risks associated with COVID-19 vaccination.
Arm Yourself
By vaccinating yourself, you are protecting yourself and those you love. You are doing your part in getting our world back to normal.
We are at a crucial moment in human history, and our actions today will help shape the future for so many. Arm yourself with the facts to make an informed decision. Visit www.southcoast.org/covid-19-vaccination and www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine to find upcoming opportunities.