The City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) has partnered with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to address concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines.  

In this webinar, the Health Department shares data and information about the development and safety of the vaccines; DBHIDS Chief Medical Officer Sosunmolu Shoyinka, M.D. provides tips to handle vaccine anxiety; and DBHIDS Certified Peer Specialist Nerrissa Mixon shares about her decision-making process to get the vaccine. 

You are not alone if you’re feeling nervous about the new, urgently developed vaccines. Despite the data, safety precautions, and FDA regulations ensuring the safety of the vaccines, it is totally reasonable to have the “what-ifs” creep into our thoughts. What if they rushed the development? What if I have side effects that are extreme? These fears are rational and can contribute to COVID-related anxieties.

It has been more than a year that we’ve all been living with the stress and anxiety of navigating through this global pandemic. Every decision we make requires an in-depth risk/benefit analysis and it is exhausting. Please join us to ease your concerns about the life-saving COVID-19 vaccines.

And while you’re thinking about the vaccine to protect your body, don’t forget to think about how this past year of stress and anxiety has also affected your behavioral health with the new DBHIDS Boost Your Mood campaign. Learn more at DBHIDS.org/boost.

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