Now Vaccinated, Melrose Mayor Keeps Preaching Vigilance

MELROSE, MA — Even with a freshly poked arm full of Pfizer, Mayor Paul Brodeur had a simple message: This isn't the end of the fight.

Brodeur got his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine Friday morning at MelroseWakefield Hospital. While he said he felt great and was optimistic about what future months might bring, he stressed the need for continued vigilance.

"As a community, we are not out of the woods," he said during a short observation period. "People need to get the vaccine as soon as they can no matter what brand."

Brodeur said residents have to "stick to the plan until we're 100 percent out of the woods."

He was echoed by Dr. Steve Sbardella, the hospital's chief medical officer, who said the current trend is a slow incline that has almost plateaued.

"It's got a couple directions it can go," he said. "If we follow the rules it'll get better. If we relax everything because we feel the vaccine is here, it's going to go in the wrong direction."

Sbardella urged people uncertain about getting the vaccine to talk to a medical professional about it.

Broduer joined the more than 12,300 residents to be at least partially vaccinated. The mayor never skipped the line, landing in the vaccination chair because of his age, not his job title.

"It's the first time [being over 55] benefited me in my brief time being over it," he quipped.

Anyone over 55 or with a certain medical condition is now eligible to book a vaccination appointment. You can see where to get vaccinated here.

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi. Subscribe to Melrose Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook.