Madison, Guilford First Responders Get COVID Vaccine Tuesday

MADISON, CT — The East Shore District Health Department in partnership with the Madison Health Department and the Guilford Health Department will be providing COVID-19 vaccinations to Madison and Guilford EMS and first responders at the Madison town campus Tuesday. Wednesday, a second COVID-19 vaccination clinic for Branford and East Haven police, fire, EMS and other emergency responders will be held at Branford High School.

East Shore health department staff nurses and medical reserve corps, medically trained volunteers, will administer the vaccinations.

The first doses of the vaccine arrived at the Branford health department office Dec. 23.

“This is the most promising step forward, to date, in protecting our community through this pandemic,” East Shore health director Michael Pascucilla said. “Our top-notch staff and the staff of other health departments across the state will be working to distribute vaccine as planned by the State Department of Public Health.”

Connecticut is currently in Phase 1a of vaccine distribution. This phase includes healthcare personnel, long-term care residents and first responders at risk of exposure to Covid-19 such as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), police and fire.

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.

Meanwhile, we 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.