The dilemma: resentment over the COVID-19 vaccine

After 15 long months, The Banks Animal Hospital has finally reopened. The thriving practice of 6 small animal physicians has strictly followed CDC guidelines and taken extra precautions to ensure the safety of its 44 team members. Staff continued to wear masks although this was not mandatory for vaccinated staff.

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has brought unprecedented growth for the veterinary services, causing many staff to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition to being overworked and having to deal with curbside care, staff have also been traumatized by the risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus.

While it was true that curbside care minimized exposure to pet owners, working side-by-side with other staff without practicing social distancing only increased anxiety. Despite wearing masks, maintaining good hygiene and diligence, many staff members contracted the disease.

When the vaccine became available to veterinary professionals, staff members breathed a sigh of relief. However, staff also encountered similar obstacles the general public faced regarding vaccines and despite CDC recommendations, a significant portion of the population chose not to be vaccinated.

At Banks Animal Hospital, 6 of 44 staff were among those who chose not to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The hospital administration recommended that all staff be vaccinated and those who expressed hesitation were urged to consult respected healthcare professionals.

Eventually, 5 staff members decided not to get the vaccine. The administration of Banks Animal Hospital agreed that these refusals did not constitute grounds for termination and continued to promote and encourage participation in vaccination. Unfortunately, this scenario has been observed in many veterinary care facilities across the country.

To top it off, the hospital administration began to experience additional fallout. Several vaccinated staff began to show resentment towards those who chose not to be vaccinated. Some addressed the administration to express their disapproval of the situation and felt that their health was in danger. Others have suggested that these staff members be temporarily laid off or on leave until the pandemic ends or until collective immunity is achieved in the workplace.

To address this growing concern, the owner of the practice, Dr Banks, organized a general staff meeting. He explained that a refusal to be vaccinated did not justify a member of the highly qualified staff losing their job. He also touched on the fact that choosing not to get vaccinated can not only put that person at risk, but also endanger the health and well-being of his colleagues.

Banks have reinforced that all mask requirements, hygiene protocols and social distancing (where possible) will remain in effect until further notice, regardless of new, less stringent CDC recommendations. He also advised everyone to get the shot and urged colleagues to have conversations with each other to iron out any resentment they might have towards each other.

Although Banks felt his efforts were helping the staff, some still felt resentment and anxiety. The pandemic had wreaked havoc in more ways than one. The division, anxiety and lingering doubts would continue to be felt for years to come.

Do you agree with the decision of the medical director? How would you have handled the situation? Let us know your thoughts by sending an email to [email protected].

Response from Dr Rosenberg

Unfortunately, many people have complex medical conditions that do not allow them to be vaccinated. However, millions of people have unscientific reasons for not getting vaccinated. People who have been vaccinated can become frustrated, angry and aggressive. However, these emotions cannot change the reality of the situation. The non-vacationers will not disappear and the frustration will not decrease. What can happen is the development of collective immunity and the slow disappearance of the pandemic. The veterinary profession must continue to champion the importance of getting vaccinated to help protect both people and pets from horrible diseases. You can be sure that in the not-so-distant future a pandemic of a different nature will unfold and we have to hope that our scientific advocacy on vaccines has made a difference.

Marc Rosenberg, VMD, is director of the Voorhees Veterinary Center in Voorhees, New Jersey. While many of the scenarios Rosenberg describes in his column are based on actual events, the veterinary surgeries, doctors, and employees depicted are fictitious.

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