To protect themselves and the community
Jacksons one of first in line to get COVID vaccination
For Charles and Cindy Jackson the decision to the newly-released COVID-19 vaccine was not a question of whether or not they would take the shots, it was a matter of how fast they could take the first round.
Charles serves as chief of the McCall Volunteer Fire Department and his wife Cindy is a volunteer fireman and also serves as the department's safety officer. Cindy also serves as chairman of the Escambia County (Ala.) School Board.
The Jacksons said Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey set aside 15 percent of the state's vaccines for first responders and the couple began their research that landed them at the North Baldwin Medical Center last Thursday. They are scheduled go back Jan. 7 for their second shot.
Now almost a week later they both said they had no side effects from taking the shot.
The Jacksons said the decision to get the shot and get in early was an easy decision to not only protect themselves but to protect others.
The said the vaccine is the first big step forward in defeating the coronavirus which has now killed more than 300,000 Americans since first being detected in this county this past January.
"For us to get this COVID vaccine, it was both a way to help protect ourselves and help protect our community," Charles said. "As first responders, we run medical calls wherever we are needed, even if that home has a known or suspected COVID infection present."
Cindy also noted that the next call they go on might be to help an elderly person who has fallen.
"By getting vaccinated, we are hoping to protect both ourselves in those situations and all those whom we might provide care for, she said."
They both said the research data on the safety and efficacy with this vaccine is both reassuring and exciting.
"We are happy to report that we have experienced no adverse effects after taking this miraculous vaccine over the past several days and sincerely hope everyone in our community will do the same when they get the opportunity," Charles said. "We look forward during 2021 to seeing the bright light at the end of this dark tunnel."
The couple said they feel blessed to be participating in this revolutionary medical achievement in developing and distributing the life-saving vaccine in less than one year.
