Agencies in the Charlotte region report participation rates from 20% to 72%.
Author: Brandon Goldner
Updated: 11:27 PM EST February 15, 2021
GASTONIA, N.C. — Despite healthcare leaders pushing for people to get the COVID-19 vaccine, some firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs in agencies from Charlotte to Gaston County, are declining to get vaccinated.
Gastonia Fire Department said around 20% of their eligible firefighters got vaccinated.
The department's public information officer, Jim Landis, said each firefighter has different reasons for his or her apprehension, but the department is still encouraging them to get inoculated.
"We're hoping more people change their minds," Landis said. "Right now, there's nothing you can [do] to make them go get it. It's an optional thing, but we're hoping more people are going to get it."