In Tuesday’s 13-1 ACIP vote, Talbot was the only one who objected to prioritizing long-term care residents. She dissented, she said, to send a message that the oldest and most vulnerable must not be an afterthought in the development and testing of vaccines they are likely to need.

“I had to make a little bit of a stand,” Talbot said.

“It’s not because I hate Grandma — I love Grandma!” she added. “But we need to think about this population, plan for them and protect them.”…

It’s possible that the vaccine may not work. On the other hand, it could provoke a strong immune response that leaves patients feeling lousy for days.