India Home in collaboration with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and SHETU held an informative session discussing COVID-19 and the vaccine on February 17, 2021. The information session was led by Dr. Madhury Ray and translated to Bangla by India Home staff. Dr. Ray has experience working on disasters from measles to earthquakes and hurricanes. With COVID-19 being exactly that, she was able to provide details on COVID, its effects and its new solution with the vaccine. The session was greatly informative and discussed the introduction to vaccines, its development, monitoring and how it was created. The discussion also covered COVID vaccine distribution as well as how to get vaccinated. The session ended with a Q & A with senior community members.
Dr. Ray discussed in detail the COVID-19 vaccine technology including its creation. This mRNA vaccine technology is unlike any other vaccine but has been studied for over 30 years. Many questions revolved around the getting of the COVID vaccine which has been extremely difficult with the amount of limited vaccines available. Dr. Ray provided step-by-step instructions on how to schedule your appointment as well as the seniors who would be eligible. Seniors had the opportunity to ask questions pertaining to COVID and the COVID vaccine. Many attendees also had questions as to the side effects following the vaccine and its benefits. With the vaccine being so new, many people have questions about its safety and effectiveness. Dr. Ray took time to not only address these questions but to also counter these arguments. She stressed how essential the vaccine is and how it can save lives. Moreover, this session discussed the COVID vaccine thoroughly and put our seniors’ minds at ease. It is safe to say that more people will make attempts to get the vaccine now than before.
For more information on the vaccine, please visit www.nyc.gov/covidvaccine
Author: Subrina Singh