More than half of FDNY firefighters say they will refuse covid vaccine, survey says

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) – First-line responders on the front line will get access to the covid vaccine in just a few weeks, but a recent survey found that more than half of FDNY firefighters will refuse the covid vaccine.

The survey polled over 2,000 members and about 55 per cent of them said they would not be vaccinated. On Saturday, union representatives spoke about their findings.

Also read | Here is NYC’s covid vaccination plan

Many FDNY members said they needed more information before getting vaccinated.

Two vaccines are close to being released – one by Pfizer and the other by Moderna. Experts say both appear to be 95 percent effective.

Rewandrew Ensbro, president of the Unified Firefighters Association, says about 200 members are sick right now – about two percent. Unsbro encourages its members to get vaccinated – although it is not mandatory.

“It’s their choice. We’re looking for this off duty not in the firehouse, we don’t want to contaminate our members in the firehouse,” Ansbro said.

FDNY officials say whether members decide to get vaccinated or not – it will not affect their functioning.

Ansbro added, “Everyone understands that first responders need access to it, we are advising our members to get it.”

Officials say Randall Island could be a place to store and administer the vaccine.

Also read | Cuomo describes the COVID vaccine as a “weapon that is going to win the war.”

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