Hispanic Nurse: Assisting in COVID-19 Vaccination Effort “Has Given Me Hope”

By Debbie Gruber

So far, I’ve given nearly 1,000 people a COVID-19 vaccine. As a registered nurse, I volunteered to be one of those people on the frontline. So far, so good. People are so grateful. It’s been one of the highlights of my life.

Americans 50+ face higher risks from the coronavirus. And I also have to tell you that as a Hispanic woman, I know members of my community are at a higher risk of death. That scares me. But this temporary assignment to assist in the COVID-19 vaccination effort has given me hope. I prepare, assess, educate and obtain consent from those receiving the vaccine.

As the rollout continues, AARP will fight to ensure that the vaccine continues to be free and accessible to anyone who wants it, regardless of age, income, race, or ethnicity. AARP has also fought to make sure homebound New Yorkers have reasonable access.

All of the vaccines have been approved by a panel of U.S. Food and Drug Administration scientists and have been found to be nearly 100% effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19.

We all just want to get back to normal. With millions of people getting the vaccine, we're making progress. Many of us are seeing family for the first time in a long time. We're feeling safer in public, and our kids are starting to go back to school.

So please go here for more information about the vaccine and be well: aarp.org/nyvaccine.

-       Debbie Gruber of New York City works as a, Staff Nurse, RN-Vaccinator, Stamford Hospital