Some Columbus Fire Department first responders are part of the first phase of local COVID-19 vaccinations.
CFD paramedics and EMTs began receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 21 at a Columbus Regional Health facility located at 17th Street and Keller Avenue, said Columbus Fire Chief Andy Lay.
Lay, a licensed paramedic/firefighter, is among those who have been vaccinated. The vaccine is being offered to “all licensed paramedics and certified EMTs” employed by the fire department. While the COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory for those at the CFD, it is strongly recommended, he said.
“Personally, I am confident in the vaccine and feel that I am doing my part to help in the fight against COVID-19,” Lay said. “I highly encourage all that can participate to do so as well. In addition, I would like to say thank you to all who have made this vaccine possible. The vaccination process that I experienced at CRH was first-rate and seamless, with which I experienced no complications.”
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The number of fire department personnel who have received the Pfizer vaccine is still being tabulated.
“The Columbus Fire Department is in the process of gathering data about how many firefighters plan on receiving the vaccination; however, the CFD will not have an accurate count until the second Pfizer dose has been administered 21 days from the first dose,” Lay said.
Indiana is in the first of three phases of vaccine distribution. The first phase includes health care workers who have direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious material, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.
That includes, but is not limited to, workers at hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient facilities, home health care settings, pharmacies, dialysis centers, emergency medical services, front-line public health interventions and COVID-19 diagnostic and immunization teams.
Pharmacy chains, including CVS and Walgreens, are involved in the initial rollout and vaccinations at nursing homes and assisted living centers, which are also part of the first phase.
