A growing number of health care providers are requiring reluctant staff to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Author: Rachel Polansky (WKYC), Phil Trexler Published: 7:34 PM EDT May 4, 2021 Updated: 11:25 PM EDT May 4, 2021 CLEVELAND — As the United States struggles to reach herd immunity against COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy is emerging as a chief rival. That reluctance is evident through large parts of the country, but also in one highly unlikely place: the medical field. As one of the country’s most important groups, it was medical workers -- along with the vulnerable elderly population -- who were thrust to the front of the line when the first vaccine shots were administered.