Many people are now filing for medical exemptions to avoid getting a COVID-19 shot, but a Hudson Valley infectious disease specialist says the vaccines are safe for everyone - no matter their medical history.

Dr. Harish Moorjani says many patients have come to his office, worried about getting the vaccine.

He says his office has taken extra precautions for some patients, like encouraging over-the-counter medicine a few days before each shot - and every patient has been fine.

He tells News 12 that anaphylaxis is the one exception where caution is recommended.

"Anaphylaxis is the one thing you have to be careful about, and that is a very well-defined entity, and even there, when we've had a history of anaphylaxis to other vaccines, not the COVID vaccine. We've been able to safely administer the COVID vaccine, provided you have anaphylaxis mitigation measures on site," says Moorjani.

When asked about those worried about infertility or long-term side effects, Dr. Moorjani says, "The vaccine only stimulates your immune system for two to three days after it's administered. Beyond that, it doesn't do anything to your immune system. So, reasonably, medically speaking, what can you expect long term effects to be? Nothing."

Bernaditta Raphael received her COVID-19 booster shot, but says she still fears for her life because she has a medical condition that makes her high-risk for COVID-19.

Raphael says while she doesn't agree with mandating the vaccines, she hopes people aren't lying about needing medical exemptions.

"I urge them to really consider having vaccinated, to help us all be equal," she says. "It's better to be safe than sorry."