Brian Su, 55, a Springfield businessman, never quite believed COVID-19 would reach the United States. Once the pandemic took hold here, he questioned the safety of vaccines until the virus nearly took his life and threatened to rob his wife…
The Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus has prompted new warnings from health officials and renewed lockdowns in parts of the world. It’s now the dominant COVID-19 strain, accounting for more than 83% of new cases in the United States. Infection prevention experts at Memorial…
With COVID-19 vaccination now available to everyone over the age of 12, the summer of 2021 offers expanded opportunities for fun and socializing. But what about those who can’t get the vaccine? “With the weather warming up, I’m hearing more…
As the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine rolled out at the end of 2020, Kristen and Josh Brown met with their obstetrician for their twelve-week visit and discussed pros and cons of vaccination. Kristen, 30, was eligible to schedule the vaccination because…
Four days before testing positive for COVID-19, Bill Jones walked half a mile to his deer stand, shot a deer and hauled the carcass back to his vehicle himself. “No problem,” the 59-year-old Taylorville man said. In the days that…
Fear of needles during an immunization or blood draw is not unique to children. Many adults experience a needle phobia as well. For some, the fear can be greater than mild anxiety. But don’t let a fear of needles keep…
Feeling stressed about all the changes taking place right now? You aren’t alone. “Just about the time we figured out how to take care of ourselves within the tight restrictions of a pandemic, the environment is changing yet again,” said…
If you are experiencing anxiety about returning to normalcy post-COVID and going back in public, you’re not alone. Taking step to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 helped to keep our families and communities safe, and as vaccination rates increase, an…
When you are vaccinated against COVID-19, it helps protect you from getting the illness. However, preliminary evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who do become infected with the Delta variant can potentially spread the virus to others. “Fully vaccinated” means…
Kelly Cockayne, 33, encourages breastfeeding mothers to make an informed decision when it comes to scheduling a COVID-19 vaccination. The 33-year-old learning consultant with Memorial Center for Learning and Innovation at Memorial Health System gave birth to Leo in early…