All LA City Firefighters Have Been Offered The Vaccine; About 60% Have Accepted It

On Jan. 8, we reported that only about 48% of the LAFD's 3,400 sworn members had received the vaccine, despite being offered some of the first spots in line.

Now, over two weeks later, that number has gone up to about 60%. LAFD's Public Information Officer Erik Scott says as of Friday, 2,027 of the department's members have been vaccinated, of 3,400. That's approximately 59.6%.

Scott said this in early Jan.: “The LAFD is a reflection of society at large – most want the vaccine for obvious reasons, and some are hesitant for a variety of reasons.”

Mayor Eric Garcetti said Monday at a press conference that he's heard from firefighters that more are choosing to get the vaccine after seeing their colleagues get it, with no negative side effects:

The mayor said for now, the department will continue to educate and encourage employees to get the vaccine before implementing any enforcement measures.

But Garcetti is encouraging all LAFD members to get their shot:

The LAFD Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises money for the fire department, is still using gifts to incentivize firefighters to get both doses of the vaccine, including a raffle to win prizes for their station.

Individual prizes include bicycles, gift cards and home security cameras.

READ MORE ABOUT VACCINES:

• Most LA County Adults Could Be Vaccinated By This Summer — If We Double The Pace
• Long Lines For Vaccinations At Dodger Stadium May Be Getting Shorter
• At This Rate, California Won't Finish Vaccinating 65+ Until June
• Here's Why Getting A Coronavirus Vaccine In LA County Is So Hard

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