WSNA partners with DOH to support #VaccinateWA campaign

In July 2021, WSNA began working with the Washington State Department of Health on a series of public service announcements featuring our trusted nurses. The videos from across the state encourage those in Washington who may be on the fence about getting vaccinated to talk to their health providers, read scientific research and safeguard themselves and their loved ones by getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Beginning in September, DOH shared the videos on broadcast, cable and social media. Thank you to the WSNA members who stepped up share their stories and raise their voices.

"Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is extremely important," says Justin Gill, urgent care nurse practitioner and WSNA board vice president. "We cannot take our healthcare system for granted. This is your health. This is your community's health. Your provider and the people that you trust are going to be the ones giving you the best advice."

"If us talking to you one on one about what we went through with the vaccine and what we've seen will help, we're here, just ask us," says Julia Barcott, WSNA member and ICU nurse in Toppenish, Washington. "We can be part of the solution."

Como enfermera de maternidad en Kadlec, Martha Galvez quiere que las madres y las personas embarazadas sepan que vacunarse contra el COVID-19 antes o durante la lactancia es seguro. ¡Gracias por educar a tus pacientes, Martha!

Callie Allen and Hannah Coburn, WSNA members and nurses in Spokane, want you to know the best way to thank healthcare workers for their tireless sacrifice through the pandemic is by getting the vaccine.

"Getting the vaccine is not just about you and your health," says Erin Allison, WSNA member and critical care nurse in Bellingham. "It's about the potential for passing the virus on to others, who either can't get the vaccine or are immunocompromised. I think that if you have the correct information that the conclusion is obvious. Getting the vaccine is the answer to getting us out of this pandemic."

Jennifer Reynolds, WSNA member and critical care nurse in Aberdeen, describes how the pandemic is impacting small, rural communities. She encourages everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and to talk to their provider if they have questions.

"It's a war, we are fighting a virus right now," said Paul Fuller, WSNA nurse in Wenatchee and former army medic. "In order to win this, we have to use the equipment that's available to us to try and beat it. There's no picking sides to health care. We just want to help people. We don't want to see you in the hospital. Vaccines are safe. We have been doing them for more than 50 years. For your mental health and mine, let's all get vaccinated."