“I’ve seen enough death and dying within the hospital,” she told CNN.
Hendricks, nursing director of medicine, was the among the first employees at University of Maryland Medical Center to get vaccinated.
“I knew the impact that the vaccine would have because we need it. I always have felt very strongly that if we don't widely vaccinate, this pandemic is going to get worse, the numbers are going to continue to increase,” she said Tuesday.
She says she felt good after getting her shot, and she was observed for a period of time to ensure she had no side effects or adverse effects.
The vaccine is being rolled out while there has been hesitancy in the Black and Latino community to take it. Hendricks says she understands their concern, but having dedicated her life to science and medicine and having done her research, she was willing to get vaccinated.
“I urge, you know, members of our Black community to become vaccinated. We are three times more likely to be affected with Covid than any other ethnic group. So it would only behoove us to be smart about it.”
She added:
“Unfortunately, if it hasn't hit your doorstep yet, it's like a game of Russian roulette. You’re just waiting for your turn.”
“I’ve seen enough death and dying within the hospital," says Shawn Hendricks, a health care worker, on why she got vaccinated.
— CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) December 15, 2020
She urged the Black community to take the vaccine. "We are three times more likely to be affected ... so it would only behoove us to be smart about it" pic.twitter.com/v2JaMuCkgV