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New York City EMS workers received their first COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday, launching the city’s long-awaited plan to inoculate first responders against the virus that has claimed thousands of lives across the five boroughs.
But the breakthrough Randall’s Island event was tinged with sadness as the FDNY announced a 27-year veteran EMT died of coronavirus on Tuesday night, only hours before the first rays of hope appeared for her colleagues with the arrival of the Moderna vaccine.
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“This is a great day for the FDNY,” said Commissioner Daniel Nigro. “Science has answered the call for help from our department and all essential frontline healthcare workers and produced a vaccine to combat this deadly illness.”
EMT Bennie Guzman, a 20-year FDNY veteran, choked up after receiving his shot while recalling how COVID had killed his mother in May.
“After so many months, it feels great,” said Guzman, 58, who was among the first to get the shot. “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 EMS was 37% with more than 5,700 of its first responders infected since March.
The EMTs rolled up their sleeves Wednesday morning and sat in socially-distanced chairs while waiting their turns.
“Our EMS workers have been on the front lines since day one,” said Mayor de Blasio. “We want to make sure they get vaccinated right away.”
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 city workers making appointments through an online portal.
Once the first responders receive their shot, they immediately schedule a follow-up visit for the booster shot at least 28 days later, officials said. The first vaccines for city firefighters were set to begin this Tuesday.
“We hope that we ... can start to bring this protection, this miracle that came to us, and start to put COVID behind us,” said Nigro.
The city was closing in Wednesday on the 400,000 mark for infections, with the five-borough death toll climbing toward 25,000.
“We know that every time we get someone vaccinated we’re helping them and their family be safe,” said de Blasio. “And we know that is peace of mind that all those who serve us deserve.”
According to the FDNY, vaccinations for firefighters are not mandatory but are strongly encouraged. The shots will eventually be given at FDNY headquarters in Brooklyn and at the EMS Academy in Queens.
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