Residents say they're no longer hesitant about receiving the COVID vaccine

At the observation area of the vaccination clinic at the UOG Fieldhouse, those vaccinated are observed for a time span of 15-30 minutes to see if they have any negative reactions to the COVID vaccines.

Residents waiting shared that they were unsure about getting the vaccine but saw the importance of receiving the shot.

Twenty-three-year-old Kiana, who is a Dededo resident, received her second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. With the vaccine made available to her since late March, she shared that she was initially hesitant to get vaccinated against the virus.

"In a sense, I mean I breastfeed so I was worried about if it would affect my son," she said. "But you know with talking to family about it made me more comfortable with doing a vaccine."

As a single mother to one boy, Kiana encourages the community to get vaccinated.

"I honestly would just say take the chance," she said. "I mean I've heard a lot about it, I have been told different symptoms they get after the second dose. But definitely, if it does protect you and your family it's best to get it especially if you have kids."

Twenty-eight-year-old Kari Taylor of Dededo, is a nurse and admits that she too was afraid to get the COVID vaccine.

"And I was at first skeptical about the vaccine since it doesn't have any long-term trials or anything like that known," she said. "But the other day I was eating a can of Vienna sausages and I am like if I can eat Vienna sausages I can get the vaccine."

With the Delta variant on the island, a much more aggressive and contagious version of the virus, Taylor urges the community to get the vaccine.

"Just do it. It's for your health and the community as well,she said. 

Paul of Yigo received dose one of the Moderna vaccine. The 29-nine-year-old says that he was too lazy to get vaccinated. He said that he plans to register for the governors' "Vax N' Win" incentive program and is looking forward to winning something.

"A car would be nice. Maybe if they had a Nissan available, yes that's fine," he said. 

Thirteen-year-old Kurtis Sabang of Mangilao said he is feeling okay after he received the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. He shared the same sentiments of Taylor and Kiana.

"Just do it and don't think about it too much," he said. 

Joint Task Force 671 Public Affairs Specialist Jenynne Guzman said that clinics have been steady at the fieldhouse and the average of people getting vaccinated at Operation Liberate Guam is 300-500 per day.

To date, 95,100 eligible island residents are fully vaccinated against the virus, according to the Joint Information Center.