Why I got the shot

We've still got a ways to go and each of our regions are at different stages of the pandemic, but there is hope with the vaccines that have arrived. Some of our northern Saskatchewan employees have already received it, and I can tell you that I will get the shot when my times comes and so will the rest of our senior executive team. 

Here's what Rick Robillard and Darlene Gazandlare shared about their vaccination experience.


I'm more confident every day that my immune system is working well.

Why did you get the shot?

I had TB in the lungs when I was a kid, and I thought this might be an underlying health issue. I wasn’t sure how my immune system would react if I got COVID, so that’s the main reason.

A lot of folks were still undecided on the vaccine in the north, so there were plenty of vials available and I put myself on the standby list, got the call and got my shot on Jan. 10.

How did the experience go?

It was just like any other trip to a clinic for a flu shot. I had a sore arm for a couple of days and I felt a bit fatigued the first day. On day two and three, it was just a sore arm from the needle, so there were no real side effects and my energy was back to normal by the third day.

I also got the shot on my mom’s 70th birthday. I told her I was going to get the vaccine a few days before but she didn’t know if she was. I got my shot around 2:30 p.m. and by supper time, she called me and said “My son, I got the shot today too after listening to you talk about it.” It was a comforting feeling, knowing it was her 70th birthday and she would now be protected, too. And her side effects were very minimal just like mine.

I’m more confident every day that my immune system is working well. I get my second Moderna shot on Feb. 7 and I feel great about it.

Were you anxious about the shot?

I was hesitant at first about getting it, but the more I read up on the virus and the pandemic and the success stories of the vaccines, I decided it was the best path for me.

The more you watch the news and social media, you can find these negative messages and scare tactics and conspiracy theories, but I weighed everything and was confident to get the vaccine.

Would you encourage people to get the shot?

I would say to folks who are undecided to talk to their family doctor and read up on the vaccines. I did my own investigation and I felt comfortable to take the shot.

My wife also got the shot recently as well – she works for the Athabasca Health Authority, and she had very few side effects as well.

I’ve also seen all her colleagues and friends in the health field – front-line workers, nurses, doctors, health care aids – all lining up to get the shot. That also gave me comfort - if the health professionals trust the vaccines, then I can, too.


I want my family and my community to be safe - my parents are elderly and my kids are young and we have fewer and fewer elders in our community, so it’s important to protect them.

Why did you get the shot?

Seven years ago I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had to get a total thyroidectomy. Cancer left me dependent on medication in order to function and it left my immune system weakened, so that was a big reason but it's more than that.

I want my family and my community to be safe - my parents are elderly and my kids are young and we have fewer and fewer elders in our community, so it’s important to protect them.

How did the experience go?

It was like a regular flu shot. I didn’t feel anything the next day aside from a bit of a sore arm and the day after that it was gone. My husband had the same experience with no side effects. I get my second shot on March 3 and I'm looking forward to it.

Were you anxious about the shot?

There was no anxiety for me. I read up on it and did my research, and I have friends and family members who are health care workers and I talked to them, too.

I just wanted to get it done with, because these are scary times we’re living in and my feeling is why not protect yourself.

If you think about the amount of crazy things people put into their body, and they are concerned about something that's made in a lab by great scientists. I've seen the conspiracy theories, but I don’t listen to them. When people in the north get sick and need to be flown south and there’s no room at the hospital, where do our people go? We are in an isolated community and we need to protect our people.

Would you encourage people to get it?

The vaccine is everybody’s choice and no one is forced to take the shot. But I chose it because I want things to get back to somewhat normal and I want to make sure that if I get this virus that I‘m protected and my body has the antibodies that can fight it off.

Cancer left me weak and I need to do whatever I can to make sure I will be okay.