The IAFC applauds the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) for recommending that all firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel be placed in the highest priority tier for receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. While firefighters and EMS personnel need reliable access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 testing, vaccines are the ultimate form of defense for those serving on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health recently asked the National Academies to develop a prioritization schedule for administering the COVID-19 vaccine. Throughout the summer, the IAFC has been urging the CDC, through its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and other federal entities to ensure firefighters and EMS personnel receive prioritized access to the vaccine.