In 2021, a coalition of national museum and library associations awarded the Peale (Baltimore, Maryland) a Communities for Immunity grant. The goal of the project is for trusted, local institutions to engage their communities in order to boost COVID-19 vaccine confidence. Since being awarded the grant, we've been gathering stories from people about their experiences with COVID and getting the vaccine.

Tavon Phillips (00:01): Hi, my name is Tayvon. I’m here to tell about the vaccine. Where did I get it? I got it from Walmart. It was me, Noel, and my homeboy Jay’Quan. He actually works here too.

Tavon Phillips (00:13): The nurse’s attitude . . . they was laughing at me, cause I wasn’t even ready. I wasn’t ready for that! I was so scared at first, but I had to do what I had to do.

Tavon Phillips (00:25): Trying to put the needle in me. I didn’t even see the needle in me. I just turned my head, and they did what the had to do. They was laughing at me ‘cause I wasn’t ready.

Tavon Phillips (00:34): I was feel alright. Two, a couple days, my arm started hurting, but other than that, the vaccine cool. It ain’t hurt nobody. I ain’t no zombie yet.

Daisy Brown (00:41): How did you feel prior, like leading up to them giving it to you? Was you nervous?

Tavon Phillips (00:48) I was nervous! I told them people, “hold on. I’m not ready. Don’t put the needle in me yet.” I was so nervous, but other than that, I had to do what I had to do. It’s cool. I’m here. (laughs)

Daisy Brown (00:58): And, you’re not sick.

Tavon Phillips (00:58): I ain’t sick. I’m feeling good.

Asset ID: 2022.05.03