Almost half of Philadelphia’s firefighters and police have skipped the COVID-19 vaccines, unions say
Updated May 12, 2021;
Posted May 12, 2021
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces gather before a FEMA community vaccination center opens on March 2, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mark Makela/Getty Images/TNS)TNS
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PHILADELPHIA Nearly half of Philadelphia’s fire and police workers are unvaccinated despite being eligible to receive the shot for months, according to unions representing both groups.
Philadelphia Firefighters Local 22, which represents about 2,800 firefighters and EMTs, reported 51% of its members have been vaccinated. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge Five reported 3,562 members have been vaccinated, more than half the force. The union did not offer any demographic breakdowns of that number and was not able to distinguish between officers and civilian employees.
Philadelphia Firefighters Local 22, reported 51% of its members have been vaccinated. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge Five reported more than half the force had been vaccinated.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Nearly half of Philadelphia s fire and police workers are unvaccinated despite being eligible to receive the shot for months, according to unions representing both groups.
Philadelphia Firefighters Local 22, which represents about 2,800 firefighters and EMTs, reported 51% of its members have been vaccinated. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge Five reported 3,562 members have been vaccinated, more than half the force. The union did not offer any demographic breakdowns of that number and was not able to distinguish between officers and civilian employees.
Both the Philadelphia Fire Department and Police Department declined to confirm vaccination rates among employees, or rates of COVID-19 infections.
Almost Half of Philly’s Firefighters, Cops Skip Vaccine
Vaccination rates among public safety workers are only slightly above the city s overall vaccination rate, about 47%. Police and firefighters had more time during which they were eligible for vaccination than others.
May 12, 2021 •
Mark Makela/TNS
(TNS) - Nearly half of Philadelphia s fire and police workers are unvaccinated despite being eligible to receive the shot for months, according to unions representing both groups.
Philadelphia Firefighters Local 22, which represents about 2,800 firefighters and EMTs, reported 51% of its members have been vaccinated. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge Five reported 3,562 members have been vaccinated, more than half the force. The union did not offer any demographic breakdowns of that number and was not able to distinguish between officers and civilian employees.
Maureen Nemchik joined St. Leo s in 1980 and fought back tears as she watched the fire. It s really hard for all the people who ve gone to St. Leo s for births, christenings, weddings, funerals and you know everything in between, Nemchik said. I was married here. My daughter was married here.
No one was injured during the fire. The building next to the church, an old rectory that had been turned into homes, also sustained damage, displacing five people.
Fire crews continued to douse hot spots Monday morning.
Fire crews still working putting out hot spots at St. Leo’s in Tacony.