HOPING TO HUG AGAIN
First city EMS workers to get vaccine cheer, even as virus tragically claims 12th colleague
Emergency Medical Service Capt. Mary Merced, one of the FDNY’s first recipients of a COVID-19 vaccine, finally sees the light at the end of a dark coronavirus tunnel.
“It is very important to me, my family, my grandchildren,” said Merced after getting her shot Wednesday with her colleagues. “I still haven’t hugged them since this started in March. My family will get vaccinated because we need some sort of normalcy. This has gone on too long.”
The eagerly awaited launch of the inoculations for first responders against a virus that has killed nearly 25,000 New Yorkers was reason to celebrate despite a grim reminder of the pandemic’s toll: The EMTs took their Moderna vaccine shots on Randalls Island just a day after the FDNY lost its 12th member to coronavirus.
“Now I think I can say this is the beginning of the end, as people get vaccinated and get immunity to COVID-19,” said FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro. “Perhaps sometime in 2021 we can put this terrible scourge behind us.”
EMT Bennie Guzman, after losing his mother to COVID this past May, struggled with his emotions after his vaccine.
“After so many months, it feels great,” said a choked-up Guzman, 58. “I hope everybody can get it to make their families safe. I wish my mom was still around.”
According to fire officials, the infection rate for the FDNY workforce was 37%, with more than 5,700 of its first responders afflicted since March. Nigro noted
there were currently about 600 firefighters, EMTs and paramedics sidelined with COVID-19, but said there were no plans to make the vaccine mandatory despite evidence of its effectiveness.
“This is a safe vaccine that will keep you alive,” he said. “Everyone should want this vaccine, and everyone should get it. ... Our aim is that every member of the department should be vaccinated — for their own good, the good of their families and for those we serve.”
The first of the EMTs to get vaccinated rolled up their sleeves Wednesday morning and sat in socially-distanced chairs while waiting their turns.
Nigro said the plan was to provide vaccines for 450 employees each day at three locations around the city. The locations will operate seven days a week, with the workers making appointments through an online portal.
Once the first responders receive their shots, they immediately schedule followup visits for the booster shot at least 28 days later, officials said. The first vaccines for city firefighters are set to begin next Tuesday.
“We know that every time we get someone vaccinated we’re helping them and their family be safe,” said Mayor de Blasio. “And we know that is peace of mind that all those who serve us deserve.”