The COVID-19 vaccine is now available for all Georgia first responders. That means anyone in fire rescue or law enforcement can sign up.
The problem? Even as daily COVID deaths set new records, few first responders are choosing to take the vaccine. "I was hoping that the people I worked with would see how important the vaccine was you know," admitted DeKalb County fire captain Eric Ryals.
Yet in his department, less than half — 42% of first responders — have signed up or indicated they want the COVID vaccine.
Ryals caught COVID last month. And he made no secret among his co-workers the seriousness of his illness.
"They know how severe it was when I had it and I wouldn’t wish that on anybody," he said. In fact, across Georgia, at least 11 first responders have died from COVID-related causes, including a Henry County sheriff’s deputy earlier this month.