GREENSBORO, N.C.—
Despite being considered a high-risk group, rescue workers in Guilford County have not yet received the H1N1 vaccine due to a nationwide shortage and the county's decision to give available doses to school-age children.That decision isn't popular among firefighters and EMS workers who, although they already take precautions like wearing gloves, say having the vaccine would give them more peace of mind.
"Of course we would like to have anything we can to protect ourselves," said Greensboro firefighter Mark Westmoreland. "We do know that we are going to put our lives in harm's way on any call, but anything we can do would be better."
Unvaccinated Greensboro firefighters have begun taking additional precautions to protect themselves from getting the virus, including using gear generally reserved for patients.
"The one thing that we carry in our medical bag is just a respirator mask. It's just to keep airborne pollutants out, and we would apply one of these to our patient and one to ourselves," said Westmoreland.
Hand sanitizer is also a commodity in the fire station and on the trucks.
Guilford County EMS workers are in the same boat, and officials have begun implementing the department's infection control plan by ordering more supplies to prevent disease.
Dr. Ward Robinson, the director of the Guilford County Department of Public Health, says the county has a limited supply of the H1N1 vaccine and what's available is going to children.
"If you have a fire hose and you are trying to put out a fire, where are you going to put it? You are going to put it right where the fire is spreading, and that's for the school systems," he explained.
First responders in Alamance County were among the first group to get the H1N1 vaccine, and in Forsyth County, first responders are expected to be vaccinated before the end of the week.
"I believe it would be important (to get vaccinated), because we're going to respond to a good amount of calls that involve the H1N1," said Westmoreland.
