Doctors and nurses no longer the only ones giving COVID vaccine shots

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The demand for coronavirus vaccinations is prompting some cities to have people other than doctors and nurses give the shots.

The idea is to free up other front-line workers who are dealing with overcrowded hospitals.

Firefighters across the U.S. are going from home to home to speed up the vaccination process.

In Florida, David Perez and other members of the Coral Gables Fire Department are vaccinating high-risk groups, including Holocaust survivors.

“In these unprecedented times, who would’ve thought that firefighters would be on the front lines dealing with a pandemic,” said Perez.

With some states facing a backlog of administering the vaccines, tens of thousands of firefighters have been given approval to help administer the shots.

“To deliver a lifesaving vaccine to our folks who are most vulnerable and folks who don’t have access to it, it’s been one of the most gratifying moments of my personal and professional career,” said firefighter Darrell Roberts.

In some states, medical and nursing students are helping in the “race to vaccinate.”

Lawmakers in Virginia passed legislation to allow all licensed providers the ability to administer vaccines, including dentists.

“I think it just makes sense to open up the ability to vaccinate to other allied health professionals that have the training and the ability to do it,” said Dr. Frank Luorno of the Virginia Dental Association.

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