First responders get vaccinated in Stamford
STAMFORD — About 280 police, firefighters, health care workers and emergency medical providers were given their first vaccination against the coronavirus at Stamford police headquarters on Thursday.
The Community Room at police headquarters on Bedford Street was turned into a vaccination clinic after the city received 500 doses of the vaccine, said Dr. Henry Yoon, the city’s medical adviser.
“It is a great opportunity and this is a phenomenal tool in the fight against COVID and is something we have been waiting for for a long time coming,” Yoon said. “I think what is important to remember is
that this is just one of the tools we are going to use to fight the infection. So, as people get vaccinated they have to remember to continue to do all the other mitigating strategies that we have been talking about.”
The idea for putting the first responders and medical workers at the head of the line for the vaccine is to keep them safe so they can support the rest of the community, Yoon said.
On Monday, more first responders and medical workers are scheduled to receive vaccinations. Twenty-eight days after being vaccinated, emergency responders will return for a booster shot to complete the vaccination process, said Public Safety Director Ted Jankowski, who was overseeing the vaccinations being administered.
Property Crimes Sgt. Sean Scanlan said the process took about 10 minutes.
“You never know who you are dealing with, who’s sick and who’s not, or if you are going to bring it home, so I think it is very important to to get it and have immunization for it,” Scanlan said. “I think it’s great that Willie and I were one of the first ones to get the vaccine. It was painless and I hope everyone does it.”
“It’s definitely peace of mind for us, our co workers, our families and the public” officer Willie Guilford said standing next to Scanlan.