A major effort is underway to protect Cincinnati's firefighters against COVID-19.Hundreds have gotten the Moderna shot between Monday and Tuesday.Officials said the work continues Wednesday to make sure firefighters are healthy and ready to keep everyone safe.Some of them said the pandemic has impacted how they train, while others said a vaccine empowers them to be ready for any emergency.They also want to protect each other while protecting the community they serve."We have to get a handle on this virus, and the only way to get that immunity is to get the shot," Assistant Fire Chief Tom Lakamp said.Lakamp said he considers getting the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine his duty.He shared his thoughts in a video provided by Cincinnati Fire Department officials."The way we're going to get there faster is the more people that will take this vaccine," he said.Lakamp said he's had no side effects.Cincinnati Fire Chief Roy Winston said he got his first shot on Dec. 23."Had a little soreness in the injection site, if you just pushed on it, but other than that, that probably went away after a couple of hours that morning," he said.The efforts are expanding quickly.Fire officials said 135 members of the department got a first dose of the Moderna shot on Monday, and at least 120 more got their first dose on Tuesday."Those that have been very close to that research, myself included, are comfortable that it's not much different than a flu vaccine," Assistant Chief Sherman Smith said.Emergency calls haven't stopped during the pandemic, which means constant contact for first responders.Assistant Chief Steve Breitfelder counted only 22 positive cases from March to October.Then, he said, cases surged."In the month of October alone, we doubled that with 23 positive cases. November we had 72 and for December, we've had, I believe we're at 73 right now," Breitfelder said.These firefighters said a vaccine keeps them healthy and ready to help you during the pandemic.There's a hope that everyone will help them, too."We still need to be vigilant. We still need to maintain our social distancing. We still need to wear our masks," Lakamp said.One of the big hurdles officials said they face is that when someone tests positive, they're in isolation for 10 days.It's proven to be a tough blow to staffing, as officials said at one point, they had as many as 35 people out in quarantine.They hope this vaccine will end that.Cincinnati fire officials said the city's health department is handling distribution and helping to maintain records.Meanwhile, firefighter-paramedics are administering the shots at one location.They hope to have this first round of vaccinations completed by the end of the week and boosters in a few weeks.
A major effort is underway to protect Cincinnati's firefighters against COVID-19.
Hundreds have gotten the Moderna shot between Monday and Tuesday.
Officials said the work continues Wednesday to make sure firefighters are healthy and ready to keep everyone safe.
Some of them said the pandemic has impacted how they train, while others said a vaccine empowers them to be ready for any emergency.
They also want to protect each other while protecting the community they serve.
"We have to get a handle on this virus, and the only way to get that immunity is to get the shot," Assistant Fire Chief Tom Lakamp said.
Lakamp said he considers getting the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine his duty.
He shared his thoughts in a video provided by Cincinnati Fire Department officials.
"The way we're going to get there faster is the more people that will take this vaccine," he said.
Lakamp said he's had no side effects.
Cincinnati Fire Chief Roy Winston said he got his first shot on Dec. 23.
"Had a little soreness in the injection site, if you just pushed on it, but other than that, that probably went away after a couple of hours that morning," he said.
The efforts are expanding quickly.
Fire officials said 135 members of the department got a first dose of the Moderna shot on Monday, and at least 120 more got their first dose on Tuesday.
"Those that have been very close to that research, myself included, are comfortable that it's not much different than a flu vaccine," Assistant Chief Sherman Smith said.
Emergency calls haven't stopped during the pandemic, which means constant contact for first responders.
Assistant Chief Steve Breitfelder counted only 22 positive cases from March to October.
Then, he said, cases surged.
"In the month of October alone, we doubled that with 23 positive cases. November we had 72 and for December, we've had, I believe we're at 73 right now," Breitfelder said.
These firefighters said a vaccine keeps them healthy and ready to help you during the pandemic.
There's a hope that everyone will help them, too.
"We still need to be vigilant. We still need to maintain our social distancing. We still need to wear our masks," Lakamp said.
One of the big hurdles officials said they face is that when someone tests positive, they're in isolation for 10 days.
It's proven to be a tough blow to staffing, as officials said at one point, they had as many as 35 people out in quarantine.
They hope this vaccine will end that.
Cincinnati fire officials said the city's health department is handling distribution and helping to maintain records.
Meanwhile, firefighter-paramedics are administering the shots at one location.
They hope to have this first round of vaccinations completed by the end of the week and boosters in a few weeks.
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