Massachusetts Begins Offering COVID-19 Vaccine To First Responders

Massachusetts is now offering COVID-19 vaccinations to first responders throughout the commonwealth.

Worcester Police Chief Steven Sargent and Worcester Fire Chief Michael Lavoie were among two of the initial first responders to get the vaccine on Monday (January 11), WHDH reports.

“It’s tremendous for our community,” Sargent said via WHDH. “The men and women of the police department, there’s always that fear, and the fire department and EMTs, we worry about bringing it home to our families as well, but also working with the community, we don’t want to be super-spreaders.”

Firefighters, police officers and EMTs are now eligible to receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with a total of 119 locations offering services throughout Massachusetts. The rollout for first responders comes in the wake of 95 Massachusetts firefighters testing positive for COVID-19 during a two-week span, with nearly 700 currently in quarantine due to possible exposure to the virus.

“We’ve seen firehouses where the whole group either has to be quarantined or gets COVID, which means the rest of us have to work longer and extra hours,” said Rich MacKinnon Jr., president of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts. “It’s affecting us hard. This vaccine is something that’s much needed in the first responder community.”

The vaccine for first responders is voluntary, but Whitman told WHDH that his department is viewing the vaccinations as an important part of their duty to save lives.

“It’s been a trying year for a lot of people so if this is a window out and nearing 100 percent safety for the community, then I think we should all do our part and get a vaccine,” Firefighter Russel Lucas said.

Governor Charlie Baker also confirmed the state of Massachusetts plans to roll out vaccines to nursing homes and assisted living facilities this week.

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