The Oklahoman
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — An Oklahoma City firefighter whose uncle, a 20-year veteran of the city’s fire department, died from COVID-19 was the first to receive a vaccine against the disease as the department began administering 500 doses
“We are excited to have the first batch of vaccines in hand,” Oklahoma City Fire Chief Richard Kelley said Saturday.
“We are extremely hopeful that this vaccine will have a profound positive impact on the well-being of our personnel. Though 500 doses does not cover every firefighter who wished to be vaccinated, the department views this as a positive start.”
The department has about 1,000 uniformed firefighters.
Under Oklahoma’s four-phase plan for the vaccinations, first responders are in phase two. Oklahoma hospitals began vaccinating front-line health care workers two weeks ago, and pharmacies began vaccinating nursing home residents and staff last week.
The Oklahoma City Fire Department received 500 doses of the Moderna vaccine on Christmas day and devised a plan to administer vaccinations on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the department said in a news release.
Corporal A.J. Davis, the nephew of Major Andy Davis and son of Deputy Chief Tony Davis, was the first firefighter vaccinated, the department said. A.J. Davis is with Fire Station 6C.
Andy Davis died on Christmas Eve from COVID-19; the major was with Fire Station 10-C near downtown. He left behind his wife, Lisa, and their four children, McKenzie, Gracie, Gabe and Beau.
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