Tens of thousands of first responders across Massachusetts are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and police, firefighters and paramedics in Norwood were among those vaccinated on Monday.
Speaking before a group of reporters inside the garage at the town public safety building, Norwood Police Chief Bill Brooks said this is the first time he's looked forward to a getting a shot. Brooks rolled up his sleeve to receive the Moderna vaccine from registered nurse Stacey Lane, assistant director of the Norwood Public Health Department.
“I feel like, so far with COVID we’ve been on the defense — like stand back, wear a mask, don’t go places. This feels a little bit more like offense, killing the virus.”
Brooks "hardly felt" the injection, he said. He reiterated the safety and efficacy of the Moderna vaccine, which has gone through three phases of clinical trials with minimal side effects.
“My split responsibilities are to protect the public and my personnel," Brooks said. "I expect the vast majority of police officers [and the public] will get this. I hope that they do.”
Phase one of Massachusetts vaccine distribution includes first responders, residents at long-term care facilitie and healthcare workers and staff.
Norwood Fire Chief George Morrice said he welcomes the opportunity to get vaccinated and expects most of his 60-person department will do the same over the next few weeks. The vaccine is not yet mandated for first responders.
“With wearing the proper PPE, this vaccine is going to ensure members of this department, including the paramedics and the EMTs, that they'll have some type of protection to not get the virus themselves," Morrice said. "So it's a great day for Norwood Fire and [for] firefighters across the commonwealth.”
Thirty first responders received vaccinations, and another 30 are scheduled for next week, according to Sigalle Reiss, public health director for the town of Norwood. The town will next begin vaccinations at congregate care sites such as shelters, prisons and group homes.
Reiss said the work by staffers during the coronavirus pandemic has been exhausting and challenging.
“My staff has been threatened, laughed at and ridiculed when you ask people to quarantine during contract tracing," Reiss said.
"It’s morale building to do the vaccine and have a proactive approach to ending the pandemic." she added.
Moderna's global headquarters are located in Norwood and Cambridge, but officials say that played no role in which vaccine was offered to first responders in the town.
