A teen’s birthday wish was for his mom to get the COVID-19 vaccine. So she’s doing it. – USA TODAY

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Sheletta Brundidgehas three children, and each time she gave birth Brundidge said she almost died.

Medical workers and doctors ignored her concerns and symptoms multiple times, anissue Brundidge says is too common within the Black community.

Her experience with the healthcare system led Brundidge to develop hesitancy toward receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Up until last week, she had no plans to get vaccinated. Instead, she followed socially distanced protocols and kept her mask on in public.

But then, her now 15-year-old sontold her he just had one birthday wish for his mom to get vaccinated.

Aside from her oldest son Andrew, Brundidge also has two autistic children. Andrew worried if his mom was unvaccinated and contradicted COVID-19, the family would be motherless.

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"Andrew told me, 'Mom, no one is going to care for me and my autistic siblings like you will," Brundidgetold USA TODAY. "So I knew I had to ease his anxiety about that. I couldn't add to his worries mentally."

Brundidge is set to receive her vaccine shot this afternoon in Minnesota. Although she said she's still nervous, she's happy to haveGov.Tim Walz by her sidewhen she receives her first dose, as part of an effort to encourage other communities of color to get vaccinated.

As a host ofWCCO Radio and her own podcast, Sheletta Makes MeLaugh, Brundidge said she hopes her story encourages Black and Brown residents to get vaccinated, despite their reservations.

Black people make up about 10% of those fully vaccinated in the U.S., according to the Centers for Control Disease and Prevention. Members of the Black community are also twice as likely to be hospitalized or die if tested positive for COVID-19.

Before confronting his mom, Andrew Brundidge took a few weeks to research and read information about the COVID-19 vaccine and the disease itself. He saw the "scary" odds against the Black community and knew he needed to convince his mother to get vaccinated. After long and open conversations, he said he's happy his mother will complete his birthday wish.

"I didn't want my mom to be another statistic. I told her, 'Who's going to take care of us if something happens to you?'"Andrew told USA TODAY.

Although she's set to be vaccinated today, Brundidge said she still holds some fears. But her reservations are overshadowed by her desire to protect herself and her family.

Brundidge hopes other Black and Brown people will choose to get vaccinated for the sake of their health and others, even if they're scared.

"Do it scared, get vaccinated scared like me. It's worthit, in the end, to send a positive message and be protected.,"

Follow Gabriela Miranda on Twitter: @itsgabbymiranda

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A teen's birthday wish was for his mom to get the COVID-19 vaccine. So she's doing it. - USA TODAY