Why I Vaccinate

Members of the Brown community share their reasons for getting the COVID-19 vaccine, and Brown experts answer your vaccine questions.

In a continuation of the Brown Takes Care public health and education campaign, Brown community members share their "Why I Vaccinate" stories about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Brown encourages everyone in our community to get vaccinated when you are eligible.

Do you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines? Visit the Healthy Brown FAQ for the answers to frequently asked questions.

Share your vaccination story: Email browntakescare@brown.edu for details about participating in Why I Vaccinate.

Dr. Karen Tashima answers the question “Is there any data on whether the vaccine is safe for people who have a suppressed immune system?”

Dean Ashish Jha answers the question “Do the COVID-19 vaccines change your DNA?”

Dr. Vanessa Britto answers the question “How do we know the vaccine is safe?”

Dr. Megan Ranney answers the question “How can I find out whether the vaccines contain an ingredient that I’m allergic to or that I can’t eat for religious reasons?”

Dr. Karen Tashima answers the question “Can vaccinated individuals still carry and/or spread the virus?”

Dr. Megan Ranney answers the question “Will I test positive in my weekly COVID-19 tests right after I am vaccinated?”

Dean Ashish Jha answers the question “How effective are the vaccines against new strains of COVID?”

Dr. Vanessa Britto answers the question “How can we trust the vaccine knowing there are, historically, disparities in the medical treatment of Black Americans?”

Dr. Megan Ranney answers the question “How long after receiving the full dosage of a vaccine is a person no longer at risk of getting sick?”

Dr. Karen Tashima answers the question “Have the vaccines been tested on pregnant women or on women planning to get pregnant?”

Dr. Vanessa Britto answers the question “Are there any known health concerns with receiving the vaccine for people with hypertension, overweight or obesity?”

Dr. Karen Tashima answers the question “How much does the timing between doses matter?”

Dr. Vanessa Britto answers the question “If I get COVID-19 between my first and second vaccine doses, should I wait for the second dose until I am symptom free?”

Dr. Megan Ranney answers the question “What precautions should I take after receiving the vaccine?”

Dr. Karen Tashima answers the question “Are there any significant differences between vaccines from different companies, in terms of efficacy, safety or effects on the body?”

Dr. Vanessa Britto answers the question “How soon after receiving treatment for COVID-19 can I safely get vaccinated?”

I got the shot for my community. As a Black woman and a future physician, I trust science and I trust the vaccine. I want my community to grow its trust in science and in the vaccine through me. I acknowledge that the U.S. has a terrifying and oppressive history when it comes to medicine and the Black community, which hasn’t been widely acknowledged or addressed. But that should not be why we don’t do everything possible to minimize the spread of this virus that killed more than 300,000 Americans in nine months. We can continue to push back on the systemic racism that has gotten us where we are today AND fight for our lives and health by trusting those who have put in the work to get this vaccine to us. By getting vaccinated, I want to inspire trust and hope in folks who look like me and thus have a valid reason to fear this vaccine.

Eloho Akpovi, Medical Student

Being vaccinated not only affords me the opportunity to take a step closer toward my own protection and the protection of those around me, but it also provides a vehicle by which I can communicate scientifically backed information about and confidence in the vaccine’s safety to friends and family who may have fear, uncertainty or doubt.

Andrew Del Re, Medical Student

As an EMT, I want to do whatever I can to support Providence communities and the Brown community throughout this pandemic. Getting vaccinated helps me do this while keeping the people close to me and the Brown community safer.

Eva Kitlen, Class of 2021, Neuroscience

“I chose to be vaccinated not only to better protect the health of others, but also to educate and instill greater trust in the medical field within the community.”

Anthony Cloyd, Medical Student