VALENCIA, Calif. — Working under intense pressure and caring for people who are critically ill doesn’t faze senior clinical ICU nurse Kathy Brady.

She has 30 years of experience, the last 12 of which have been spent at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.

"I really enjoy what I do," said Brady. "I love caring for people. I like the education component."

That includes learning how to battle a new virus that has changed the world. Brady explained that in March, there were only a handful of COVID-19 patients in her ward. Nurses would take turns covering shifts and take days off. But it got worse in December, especially after the spike in COVID-19 cases from the Thanksgiving holiday.

"It’s really been a marathon," she said. "I mean, it’s really been day-to-day, shift-to-shift, just trying to piece together enough people to cover assignments. It’s really gotten challenging."

Brady hasn’t gotten infected but is worried about not only keeping herself safe but also her husband, who is a cancer survivor. So when the vaccine arrived at the hospital in mid-December, she jumped at the chance to get it and was the first in line on December 17.

But not all healthcare workers — who are at the top of the list for the vaccine — are taking it. In Los Angeles County, officials estimate roughly 20-40% are refusing it.

“There are concerns, as with the public, some around how quickly the vaccines are developed. Others are concerned around the side effects that occur,” said Dr. Larry Kidd, Chief Clinical Officer at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. “But it's been minimal. We have administered over 1,600 doses of vaccine. I myself have been vaccinated with the first dose.”

The hospital, which is currently treating 98 COVID patients, faces a staffing shortage. Dr. Kidd said he needs all “hands on deck,” and that vaccinating as many frontline workers as possible will help decrease their chances of getting infected.

"The key has been education," he said. "We have staff that we are able to call in. We answer questions. I, myself, frequently get emails about the vaccine: 'Is it okay?' 'Should I wait?'"

Brady said she isn’t worried about working around those who don’t get vaccinated, as she will continue to practice safe PPE use.

“I will and have encouraged many coworkers to get vaccinated so we can improve our odds of eliminating the virus,” she said.