Missouri woman didn't want COVID vaccine for fear of side effects. She caught the delta variant & died

A Missouri family is spreading awareness for COVID-19 vaccines after a loved one's life was claimed by the Delta variant. Tricia Jones, a 45-year-old mother of two from Kansas City, was reportedly hesitant about getting vaccinated out of fear of its possible side effects. However, her health quickly went downhill after contracting the deadly variant — which is also known as B.1.617.2 — and died on June 9 at Research Medical Center after being on a ventilator for a month. "I never would have thought I would lose my daughter at 45," Jones's mother, Deborah Carmichael, told WDAF-TV.

Carmichael revealed that Jones — who described as a light in everyone's life — was hesitant about getting vaccinated against COVID-19 after hearing "a lot of horror stories" and seeing her mom get sick following her first shot of the vaccine. "She was afraid of the side effects, I think. You hear a lot of horror stories. I, myself, when I had the shot, it was rough, so it scared her and freaked her out. So she didn't want to do it. I couldn't convince her," the grieving mother said. She revealed that after Jones's son caught the Delta variant at his junior high school, it didn't take long for Jones and her husband to also fall sick.

"After she got it, she said, 'Mom you were right, about the shot, about masks, being diligent and all that.' I was like, 'I don't want to be right. I want you to be well. That's all that matters,'" Carmichael said. Jones was put on a ventilator on May 13 and passed away on June 9. "I felt like, as her mom, I brought her into this world, and the most loving thing I could do if it had to come to this is usher her into the arms of the Lord. It wasn't my choice. It wasn't what I wanted. Everything in me was screaming, 'No, this can't be right. She's only 45,'" Carmichael said.

Jones's 18-year-old daughter, Adriana Jones, said she hopes no one else will "go through what we went through... Especially with the variant." Adriana, who has autism, revealed that her mom had been her greatest support and advocate. When the teen was bullied in high school for her condition, Jones would reportedly come to the school and work with her counselors on how to help Adriana. The youngster graduated high school this year without her mom by her side and the pair had planned to take classes together at Metropolitan Community College.

"She was actually in the middle of helping me figure it all out for it, and now I feel lost because I don't understand none of it," Adriana said. The teen recalls sitting by her mother's bed at the hospital and reading her daily devotionals, psalms, or playing some of her favorite music in the hopes of getting through to her. "There were so many days where I would just stand there next to my mom and say, 'Wake up, mama, wake up.' She would never wake up, and I just wish that she would. I don't think anyone should have to go through what we went through. Especially with the variant," Adriana said.

The family now hopes Jones's story will inspire others to get their vaccine. Having seen how quickly her daughter got sick, Carmichael said she wants people to understand how hard-hitting the Delta variant is. "Please take this seriously. You don't want to see a family member you love go through this," she said. "You have a way better chance of coming out OK than if you don't."

Here's how you can look for vaccination providers near you:

1. Visit Vaccines.gov to find vaccination providers near you. Information may be limited in some states while more U. S. vaccination providers and pharmacies are being added.

2. Text your ZIP code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find vaccine locations near you in the United States.

3. Check your local pharmacy’s website to see if vaccination appointments are available. Find out which pharmacies are participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.

4. Contact your state health department to find additional vaccination locations in the area.

5. Check your local news outlets. They may have information on how to get a vaccination appointment.