Aug
17

COVID-19 Update: What convinced me to get vaccinated–A message from Dr. Monique Chism, Under Secretary for Education

Banner showing COVID-19 virus

Deciding to get vaccinated against COVID-19 – the reasons, the concerns, and the benefits – can be deeply personal. Dr. Monique Chism, Under Secretary for Education, recently sat down to share her vaccination story with us in this short video message. Please take a few minutes to learn why she was initially hesitant, what helped her decide that vaccination was the right choice, what happened after her doses, and how her confidence grew after becoming fully vaccinated.

If you are unable to view the video here, please visit
https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/a51a558f-3b33-4484-a7fa-24ff523aeec6

To learn more about the topics referenced in or related to Dr. Chism’s vaccination story, visit these resources:

Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you with just your zip code. Option to search by vaccine type.

Today’s COVID-19 vaccines work in much the same way as early inoculations but are safer and more effective. It’s true that they were developed with historic speed — but only because they were built on decades of basic research that allowed us to deliver them in record time. (Fig. 1 by University of California, May 2021)

Stay safe, be well, and get vaccinated,
The COVID-19 Response Team


Posted: 17 August 2021
About the Author:

Alex di Giovanni is primarily responsible for "other duties as assigned" in the Office of Communications and External Affairs. She has been with the Smithsonian since 2006 and plans to be interred in the Smithson crypt.