Student thoughts on COVID-19 vaccines

Santa Ana College students had a lot of different things to say about getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Getting vaccinated has become a question of bodily autonomy and polarizing politics making it a sensitive subject. After talking with over 35 students there were some common themes that stood out.

The range of those vaccinated right here on campus was conflicting to say the least, but portrayed a very real statistic of those aged 12-49 who aren’t vaccinated or are not keeping up with their vaccinations for COVID-19 in Orange County.

Some students received their COVID-19 vaccine because it was a requirement for school or sports. Other students believed it was a requirement when it wasn’t.

Abigail Carmena, a freshman criminal justice major, said, “I get vaccinated yearly for both COVID and the flu…I got it because I thought it was required for your overall health.”

Others never got around to it, didn’t see a point or thought COVID was over.

“I haven’t taken my COVID vaccination since I didn’t see a point because COVID rates have been so low…I’m more scared of the flu than COVID,” said Bryan Avalos, a sophomore film major.

“I never got around to getting it. I have gotten COVID three times but it was very mild all three times,” stated Jose Mejia, a freshman sociology major.

“I thought [the vaccine] was a solution… I thought COVID was wraps!” said Caleb Grant, a freshman engineering major.

Most went with whatever their family dictated: “My older grandparents live with me so they’re always wary about COVID or even the flu,” said Atiana Lopez, a freshman psychology major whose dad is also a nurse and encouraged regular vaccinations.

Sandra-Marie Ledesna was a part of the few whose parents had received the vaccine but advised their children against it. “My mom didn’t want me to get it but she got hers and she didn’t want us to do it. I have never gotten COVID,” said the freshman education major.

Whereas Christian Boox was one of the few who had a mixture of their own beliefs with their families, “Mostly it’s just because the COVID vaccine was made too fast for me and I don’t like to inject whatever substances are in there and my family didn’t like it so I kinda went with them,” said the freshman kinesiology major.

Few kept up with their vaccines yearly.

Both Amanda Tovalino and her friend Ryan Milio are nursing students at SAC and have gotten their vaccinations for the flu and COVID almost yearly for the last five years.

Both are part of the two-year nursing program at SAC and work at different nursing facilities in the city. As certified nursing assistants, they stated that they saw an increase in COVID cases over the past few months.

Milio also informed me that they missed a year of their vaccine due to cost and availability. He only ever received the vaccine when his school or occupation required him to. “If [the vaccine] was offered here for free on campus, I would’ve gotten it. I just find it hard to go see my health care provider every year,” said Milio.

Read more about how to get vaccinated and why COVID-19 vaccines are relevant today at the California Department of Public Health’s website.