Industry figures are leading the way in getting vaccinated against COVID-19, many of them announcing the occasion of double vax via social media. AdNews asked them about their motivation and experiences.
Chris Ernst, managing director, Dentsu Queensland:
Let's be honest, I'm not a needle person.
My wife would call me a hypochondriac and it seems I may have passed it on with one of my four-year-old twin boys recently kicking the GP in the face when he received his flu shot. But when I got my first covid jab a few weeks ago, and as I walked away past the orderly queues of hundreds of others willing to roll up their sleeves, I was hit with a sudden peculiar feeling.
It was an overwhelming sense of relief and pride.
Relief because I knew that when (not if) I come into contact with COVID-19, I will not fall seriously ill and I will not take up a valuable bed in ICU. Relief because I have seriously lowered my chances of spreading the virus if I do become infected with it. And relief that I have helped keep my family and my team safe. That I can now spend time with my mum and 94-year-old grandfather-in-law without the anxiety that a seemingly harmless cup of tea may end up with one of them on a ventilator - or worse.
But what I was really surprised by after my shot, was being hit by a strong surge of pride.
Pride at the legendary medical teams on the ground organising such efficient and effective vaccine rollouts. And pride at all the people willing to do their bit to keep us safe. More than 5.2 billion doses of coronavirus vaccines have been given out worldwide. It's an incredible feat. And I'm stoked to be among them. Here's to leaning in for each other. Here's to getting back to life as we know it.
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