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Wisconsin medical experts push for more professionals to consider vaccine

Moderna Vaccine
Posted at 4:58 PM, Jan 13, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-13 18:58:50-05

Now, with several vaccines now on the market, more and more people are getting vaccinated in Wisconsin.

However, not all medical professionals are jumping at the chance to get the shot.

"For people that are more hesitant. There's skepticism about how it's rolled out,” said Jamie Lucas, the executive director of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals.

He represents health workers across the state and says, for various reasons, he's seen members of his union choose to hold off on being vaccinated.

"Yeah, we've certainly heard there are folks within our membership across the state. We're trying to tread lightly and understand their concerns,” Lucas said.

According to a December study by the non-partisan Keiser Family Foundation nonprofit, 29 percent of health care workers surveyed said they'd be hesitant to take the COVID-19 vaccine although that doesn't mean they'd never accept it.

In California, the Los Angeles Times reports, 20 to 40 percent of front line workers in Los Angeles County declined the shot.

"Certainly we have people who are choosing to decline the vaccine within our health system. That's a very small number, we've been fortunate to have a much the opposite reaction," said Dr. Matt Anderson, senior medical director with UW-Health.

Ander said a large percentage of his colleagues have chosen to be vaccinated. Over 11,000 initial doses to its front line workers have been administered to date.

Both Anderson and Lucas said despite some distrust, they're going to keep fighting to end the pandemic.

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More data on Wisconsin's vaccination progress here.

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