On Dec. 10, the Covid-19 booster shot was approved for individuals ages 16-17, so I wanted to be the first in line. My mom had texted me earlier that day with an address to a clinic so, after school, I drove myself there.
I don’t have a fear of needles, but something about shots is mildly nerve-wracking for me; the 25 minutes car ride consisted of a self-hype-up session to convince myself that this shot wasn’t any different than any others I’ve had before. What ultimately got me through the doors of the clinic was the fact that I was doing this to help the people around me and to help myself. This pandemic needs to be contained and I can be that one step in the right direction.
Clare Fox, a senior at Huron High school, also got her booster shot.
“You know it is for the best,” Fox said. “Why wouldn’t you? It was kind of a thing of you just do it anyway.”

At this point, the COVID-19 vaccine has been available for high school students since May 2021, and for adults, months longer. There is no reason in my mind that someone shouldn’t get the shot. It is a two shot commitment – minimum – maybe even one depending on the type that you receive.
“I believe in vaccines,” said Miriam Leo, a senior at Pioneer High School. “So if you won’t get it for yourself, maybe get it for those around you who can’t get it or as a common courtesy. It can’t hurt to get it and if you can get it, why wouldn’t you go?”
The fact of the matter is thousands upon thousands of people are still affected by the pandemic. People are still dying. As much as we want to believe that we aren’t in a pandemic any more, we are. Although we aren’t confined to the four walls of our homes anymore, we could go make it back there. There are a lot of preventative steps that can be taken that people just aren’t.
It’s a common courtesy. We are all wearing masks, we are washing our hands, we are social distancing. Just get the shot.