Only 55% of the city’s firefighting force appeared to receive an injection of coronavirus, a number lower than originally announced, Los Angeles Fire Department officials said on Monday.
Fire chief Ralph M. Terrazas said in a statement to The Times that the department “has reconciled its vaccination numbers across multiple software platforms” in the past few days and determined that 1,842 of the nearly 3,400 ordinary firefighters have offered to be inoculated since the shooting began on December 28.
The department reported in mid-January that 60% of firefighters were vaccinated. Doses are offered weekly to firefighters.
This leaves 45% of the force still potentially unprotected against the sometimes deadly coronavirus. Although several hundred firefighters who recently contracted the virus have been advised to wait 90 days before being vaccinated, hundreds of others have already refused to participate.
LA firefighters who are reluctant add to the list of health professionals in the state who are refusing to get the vaccine, a trend that health experts say may have serious public health implications.
Firefighters are at the forefront of the pandemic, many working as paramedics and emergency medical technicians. More than 860 city firefighters – about a quarter of the force – have had positive results so far. Two died, most recently Captain George Roque, 57, a 22-year-old veteran.
As part of their work to answer 911 calls and deliver patients to emergency rooms, many firefighters are in routine contact with sick patients. Regardless of being shot, they are required to wear protective equipment at work.
Despite the department’s low turnout, the number of firefighters tested positive for coronavirus has dropped significantly since the city’s fire department started offering vaccines to its members, Terrazas said in a memo to firefighters last week.
In an attempt to encourage participation, the department has resorted to awarding those who take the chance. Vaccinated firefighters participate in a drawing in which gifts include Canary home security cameras, Google Nest entertainment systems, Aventon fixed gear bikes and gift cards for Airbnb and Lyft.
The gifts are funded by the LAFD Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises money to support the department, according to a memo distributed by Terrazas that was obtained by The Times.
Both Terrazas and Mayor Eric Garcetti said they would make vaccination mandatory if firefighters remain reluctant over time, although neither has indicated that he is ready to take that step.
“LAFD will continue to offer the vaccine to its sworn members on a weekly basis,” said Terrazas. “My union partners and I strongly encourage all of our firefighters to get the vaccine as soon as possible.”
Judy Mark, president of the Disability Voices United advocacy group, said that if frontline workers, including firefighters, were all vaccinated, “it would certainly keep us much safer.”
Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent decision to shift the vaccine’s priority to an age-based eligibility framework has angered Mark and others, who argue that people with disabilities will have to wait longer to be vaccinated.
“If there are firefighters and health professionals who don’t want the shots, they should stay away from those who do,” said Mark.
Bill Przylucki, executive director of the progressive defense group Ground Game LA, said homeless people regularly contact firefighters because of medical problems and fires and criminal incidents in camps.
Przylucki said he was very appreciative of the first respondents and implored them to get the vaccine.
“It is really frustrating if public officials do not show this solidarity with the community they serve,” said Przylucki.