Many first responders in the Tampa Bay area say they won’t take the coronavirus vaccine.
Local fire and police departments conducted surveys about the coronavirus vaccine, and a significant number of first responders say they are not taking it or are undecided.
“It’s just so new and it’s been so highly publicized and so highly politicized, I think for a lot of our members,” said John Klinefelter, Clearwater Fire & Rescue Division Chief of Health and Safety. About 60% of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office employees who took the survey said they don’t want to get the vaccine.
St. Petersburg Fire Rescue had 56% respond "no” and a quarter were undecided.
The Clearwater police survey showed 39% said no, 28% were undecided, and 32% said they would take the vaccine. Only 30 percent said yes at Clearwater Fire & Rescue.