City fire department prepares for vaccinations

The Birmingham Fire Department has formally requested vaccines from the state and the Oakland County Health Department, and hopes to receive them in the coming weeks in order to assist in inoculating residents.

“We prepared for this turning point in the pandemic in April by purchasing syringes and needles with the hope of someday inoculating residents who are most susceptible to this deadly disease,” said Birmingham Fire Chief Paul Wells. “I want to remind the community that this vaccine is safe, and it is critical in our fight against COVID-19. More than 30 Birmingham firefighters are paramedics and we will be ready when vaccines become available.”

Ninety percent of Birmingham firefighters have received both rounds of the COVID-19 vaccine, as they provide direct medical assistance to COVID-19 patients throughout the city.

For information about vaccine availability, residents should not call at this time but follow these steps to receive updates regarding the vaccine rollout:

1) Sign up for Birmingham's citywide email list at www.bhamgov.org/citywideemail.

2) Register for the city's Nixle emergency alert system at www.nixle.com or simply send a text message with the zip code 48009 to 888777.

3) To receive the Oakland County COVID-19 Vaccination Newsletter, register your email address at www.oaklandcountyvaccine.com or text OAKGOV COVID to 468311.

Birmingham will send out updates as more information becomes available. Residents are reminded to continue to wear masks even if they had COVID-19 or if they received the vaccine, as it may still be possible to spread the virus.