Hundreds Of First Responders From 5 Towns Get COVID-19 Vaccine

BRANFORD, CT —Three regional health departments joined forces to vaccinate hundreds of emergency services personnel and first responders from Branford, East Haven, North Branford, Guilford, and Madison against COVID-19.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccines were given to emergency personnel beginning Dec. 29, with the last round of inoculations held Wednesday at the Madison Town Campus.

According to Barbara Naclerio of East Shore District Health, before Wednesday's vaccine program some, 200 first responders, including firefighters and EMTS, as well as a number of health department staff volunteers, had already gotten the first shot. Wednesday, Naclerio said around another 130 to 140 were expected to be vaccinated.

East Shore District Health Department staff nurses and Medical Reserve Corps volunteer nurses administered the vaccine as part of the state's Phase 1a vaccination effort phase which includes healthcare personnel, long-term care residents and first responders at risk of exposure to COVID-19 including Emergency Medical Technicians, police and firefighters.

All recipients of the vaccine will require a second dose one month after the first vaccination.

The East Shore District Health Department will continue to provide vaccinations to those whose turn it is to receive the vaccine. The Health Departments’ goal is for all residents to have access to the vaccination, although this will likely not occur until late Spring or early Summer 2021

East Shore health director Michael Pascucilla called the vaccine program, and collaboration between several towns' health department's to make it happen, "a promising step forward, to date, in protecting our community through this pandemic."

But he cautioned that communities, "must remain diligent in following guidelines to slow the spread of the virus."

These measures will help protect our community against a widespread outbreak:

• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when out in public.
• Adhere to a minimum 6-foot social distancing from others
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
• Quarantine for at least 10 days if you are in contact with someone who is sick or has tested positive for Covid-19
• Stay home if you are sick except to get medical care.
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands after.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.