There was never a question in my mind, even from a young age, that I would be a scientist. Forty years ago, not many women became scientists. Even today, women are less likely to enter the STEAM field than men. When I interviewed for my first professional position as an immunologist in a USF chemical and biomedical engineering lab, the interviewer’s first words were, “Taryn? I thought that was a man’s name.”
I have a graduate degree in molecular medicine from the University of South Florida (USF) College of Medicine and certificates in biochemistry, microbiology, and immunology. I spent years interning in virology and infectious disease labs for USF and the Department of Defense. Because my resume was as impressive as a man’s, I got the job and spent several years testing novel vaccine technology in the biomedical engineering department. There, I learned the intricacies of vaccines and their effects on the body.
I had my daughter at the beginning of 2013 (followed by a son in 2014), quickly realizing I would no longer be able to put in long days and nights at the lab. There were different, more difficult long days and nights at home. So, I joined a group of new mothers, most with professional careers, who were trying, like me, to adjust to a new life. These are the women who unknowingly sparked the start of my dream career.
I could tell you what happens the microsecond after a vaccine is injected into the body and how the cells create a response. But I knew nothing of the world outside that lab. I thought people did as the doctor said and vaccinated their children, no questions asked. But I learned it’s not so simple. How could I be so dense?
My friends had many questions, mainly about the safety of vaccines in their new babies’ bodies. I knew vaccines were safe, so I didn’t understand how someone could question this. So, that’s where it all began.
Answering the same things over and over got exhausting, so I created a website to house the answers. The website is called TheVaccineMom.com, and that’s how I got the alias “The Vaccine Mom.” Under this alias, I explored social media and blog writing, among various small projects for physician offices and magazines in my area. I focused on facts and science, which I later realized wasn’t the most effective tactic.
Facts weren’t moving needles, so I began conducting small group Q&A sessions so parents could feel comfortable discussing in an intimate setting. I was getting somewhere. Observing these groups helped me understand that people think and make decisions differently, primarily based on past experiences. And people come together based on shared experiences. It was a whole new world. Choosing to vaccinate is not always about the facts.
I had to know more, so I talked to clinical psychologists to learn about the science behind emotional decision-making. What I took away are what I lean on in conversations as my “five truths”:
People make decisions based on fear. In this case, it’s the fear of the disease or the fear of the vaccine. How do I move the needle?
Much of our anxiety today doesn’t make sense and has no basis in reality. How can I calm worries, and where are they coming from?
Falling victim to misinformation often comes from wanting to fit into a community of like-minded people. This tribe mentality helps form core beliefs. What community does this person fall into?
Many people seek to be correct and not accurate, so facts don’t always sway people. Where is this person getting their information, and are they open to new vantage points?
Words matter. I don’t believe facts; I know facts. I am an authority in my field; what information can I offer?
With my five truths, I was able to form a niche in a sea of advocates. I was an expert in my field, a relatable parent, and I had honed my communication skills. I put my intent and mission out there and offers to write, podcast, appear on television, be in documentaries, and create content flooded in. I worked for Parents magazine, Vaccinate Your Family, Immunize.org, and many other organizations and agencies. (Many of which I still work for.)
I was recognized as “Taryn” and “The Vaccine Mom” nationwide.
Not everything was bright lights. I had always been the target of malice from the anti-vaccine community, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, the virtual attacks got worse. My personal information and things about my children were distributed to the anti-vaccine community, which was used to threaten me. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, the attacks got more severe, leading me to have to file police reports. Enough was enough.
To protect myself and my children, I removed my public presence and kept educating healthcare providers and scientists, working with coalitions, and helping other vaccine advocates. With the new COVID-19 vaccines, there was a lot of work to do.
Four years later, I was cut from a contract I thought I loved. I wallowed for a day. Then, I woke up the next day feeling that I needed to help people in a different way. So, I said “yes” to my first public interview—a comeback. It was time and I had something to say.
I’m not your typical vaccine advocate. I’m not looking for a quick fix. It’s “one person at a time,” as I like to say. If I can help get just one person vaccinated a day, then I will sleep with a smile on my face.
So here I am today with a foot in both worlds. I’m a scientist and an educator, consulting for many agencies and organizations, welcoming opportunities, and taking on new challenges. I’m also a single mother of an aspiring scientist and engineer, relatable and available to help people make informed choices.
I know the science, and I will forever be growing and modifying my communication skills as an advocate. Change the face of advocacy for whatever cause strikes you as important. If you take one thing away from my story, take this: you have two ears and one mouth for a reason.
Hi, I'm Taryn Chapman. I have a master's degree in molecular medicine from the University of South Florida College of Medicine. I am a vaccine and infectious disease educator and live in Florida with my two children.
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Nice work, Taryn. Thank you and keep up the great work.