MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA, Ala. — As the COVID vaccine increasingly becomes available, some are hesitant to get it.
Dr. Karen Landers with the Alabama Department of Public Health said on Wednesday that vaccine hesitancy does not equate to vaccine refusal.
"I've actually been saying that over the last number of days but hesitancy to me, as a physician, means that persons need more information," Dr. Landers said.
While Dr. Landers says it's not bad to have questions about the vaccine,it's important to get answers from those who can speak to the facts.
"The first thing I do is to urge people to ask your questions but ask your questions of persons who have training and experience," said Dr. Landers. "I receive my medical information from medical providers, from scientists."
Dr. Landers emphasized that it's okay to change your mind when it comes to your decision on whether to receive the vaccine.
"Persons who initially were reluctant when the federal pharmacy program came in and vaccinated patients and staff members and there were persons that were reluctant, by the time they came back to get the second dose, some people had changed their minds," said Dr. Landers. "So we had an additional uptake once persons, first of all, received more information, had the opportunity to look at scientific information but also had the opportunity to see other people take the vaccine, tolerate the vaccine and do well."