Vax to Normal featuring Sophia Garza

Sophia Garza, a senior public health major from Brownsville, Texas, closely followed the development and progress of the COVID-19 vaccine, hopeful that its authorization would give her a modicum of peace and protection.

"I have rheumatoid arthritis," Garza said. "Although I do not get sick often, I did not want to risk contracting COVID-19 by not getting a vaccine."

When COVID-19 vaccines first received FDA emergency use authorization, availability was initially scarce. To prepare for the expected influx of vaccines to Waco and Central Texas, Baylor students, faculty and staff were sent an interest form to gauge expected dosage needs.

"I filled it out immediately," Garza said. "I was blessed with the opportunity to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine from Baylor, and it feels as though a big weight of anxiety has been lifted off my shoulders."

Garza is a member of the Faith in Vaccines Ambassador (FIVA) Gold Team, a group of students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences who made the decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine. They now advocate for their peers and the Baylor campus community to do the same.

"Vaccination is important for all of us," Garza said. "We cannot simply will COVID-19 out of existence. People continue to suffer from the ramifications that COVID-19 has had on our health systems and society. By protecting ourselves through vaccination, we can protect others in the future."

Garza, like many worldwide, struggled over the last 18 months. In the midst of chaos and a pandemic, she looked for the helpers.

"At the beginning, it was difficult," Garza said. "I was already struggling with my mental health and things in my personal life. The idea that the world was falling apart before my very eyes did not help. However, the time spent in quarantine allowed me to shut off the stressors from the outside world, and I finally got the courage to ask a therapist for help. That time of self-care prepared me to work harder at my education. It was incredibly difficult, but I am proud of myself for pulling through."

The Baylor Counseling Center can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week via phone at (254) 710-2467 and via email at counseling_center@baylor.edu. More about how the Counseling Center is serving students during the pandemic is available on the center's (link above).

A fully vaccinated campus community will help mitigate the risks of COVID-19 and allow students to enjoy all the traditions and events that embody the Baylor experience.

"I am still careful, and I still wear my mask when I am in public, but it is helpful knowing that I have a bit of extra protection," Garza said.

COVID-19 vaccines are widely available and free of charge. Baylor students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. All three vaccines recommended by the FDA – including the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine that received full FDA approval for ages 16+ are currently available'?'for students and employees at the Baylor Health Center. Appointments can be made'?'online'?' through the Health Portal.

All three of the vaccines have shown consistent ability to lessen symptoms, lower the viral load carried by infected individuals and help mitigate the risk of experiencing the most severe or even fatal results. Baylor has obtained ample supplies of all three vaccines, with individuals having the freedom to choose which vaccine they would like or to accommodate a certain option recommended by their physician.

Fully vaccinated students, faculty and staff who complete the brief vaccination confirmation form will be exempt from twice-a-week testing and will not be required to enter quarantine protocol in the event of confirmed COVID-19 exposure.