Faces of the Fight from Heather Hogg, Public Health Immunizations clinical coordinator: We see the little heroes coming in
Heather Hogg is a clinical administration coordinator with the Public Health Immunizations team in Saskatoon.
Little did I think during my lifetime I would be facing a world pandemic – let alone fighting in a small way on the front-lines.
These days, when my alarm rings at 6 a.m., I rush to get ready to be at the mass vaccine clinic in Saskatoon for 7:30 a.m.
When I arrive, it is eerily quiet. Just a handful of us come early to get things going for 8 a.m. It’s after we open that things are bustling with traffic staff, immunizers, team and clinic leads, managers all arriving for their nine- or 12-hour shifts.
First thing in the morning, we all gather and have our huddle to learn of anything new and my co-worker and I send our traffic staff to their posts for the day. At 8:30 a.m., the doors open and the clients come rushing in. I look into their eyes, I see happiness, fear, anxiety, tears and meltdowns. Many are excited to receive their vaccine, some are anxious.
In the first week of vaccinations for ages 5 to 11, we saw over 7,000 little heroes come through our doors. I looked into their eyes and saw the great pride they felt. They know they are doing something that is making a difference in our world.
At the end of the day, after the doors to the clinic are locked, I walk through the post immunization area and read the “Wall of Reason,” where these children have hung up their post-it notes where they wrote about why they have chosen to be vaccinated. Many bring tears to my eyes.
Working with these little heroes has lifted our spirits and inspired us to keep fighting on and giving our all. I hope someday they really understand the difference they have made and how much they have encouraged us health-care workers to keep on giving when the exhaustion wants to overtake.
Often, I lay awake at night wondering if I could have done more to convince those who have chosen to not be vaccinated. Could I have said more? What more could I have done?
To those who haven’t yet got a COVID-19, I’m asking you to please reconsider your decision.
As for our health-care teams, we will continue the fight against COVID-19. We will continue to put in the hours day after day… And one day, we will beat COVID.
For my work, I could not do it without the great staff I have who support me and work right alongside me. Thank you for your tireless hours, and giving of yourself. I have watched our Traffic Staff out directing vehicles at the drive-thru in the snow, wind and rain with huge smiles on their faces. They now direct the flow of people traffic without complaint, day after day. You make a difference and I see you!
I have seen the long hours our seemingly tireless immunizers put in. I have seen the hours upon hours our team leads, clinic leads and managers put in, and yet they always stop to give me an encouraging word. We lift each other up and we keep fighting.
I see most clearly each person who walks through the door and choses to be vaccinated and I thank you. You are the true heroes who take us closer to ending the pandemic. Thank you for thinking of others.
I wouldn’t leave the front-lines for anything right now. I will continue to fight until COVID is beat!
