October 29, 2021
10/28/2021 - Vaccines & Boosters
City gauging interest for first-time Covid-19 vaccines and booster doses for qualified employees
The McKinney Fire Department is gauging interest to offer another round of Covid-19 vaccines to employees who have not been vaccinated. To minimize wasted vaccines, we need to know how many employees want to receive the two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) from the city.
The MFD is also determining if there is enough interest to distribute booster doses to qualified employees. If you received your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine more than six months ago or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than two months ago and also meet the CDC qualifications for booster shots, you are eligible for a booster through this outreach.
All who are interested in and qualified for either the initial Covid-19 vaccine or booster dose should complete the survey.
View a message from Mayor George Fuller
An update from Fire Chief Danny Kistner
McKinney employees,
Cases of the Covid-19 Delta variant continue to drop, and the infection rate remains low. Covid-19 related hospitalizations are dropping as well; however, those hospitalized are generally unvaccinated. Despite isolated news stories and personal anecdotes of breakthrough cases among the vaccinated, vaccination remains the best defense against Covid-19 and its variants.
Variations of the virus will continue to evolve, as is the nature of a virus. Much like the flu, we will learn to live with it as we transition from pandemic to endemic. Tools to stave off the virus continue to be vaccination, face coverings, social distancing, hand washing, and disinfecting work areas. In time and through study, medical science will learn more about the virus’ behavior and discover new methodologies for prevention and treatment. I recall the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) emerging in the late 1970s. Medical science can now reduce the virus in infected hosts to undetectable levels, and those infected are enjoying normal life spans in most cases.
The city Executive Leadership Team continues to discuss how best to protect employees. As a member of the city’s ELT, we would like to provide another opportunity for employees to become vaccinated or receive their booster dose if eligible. There is a survey link included in this memo for us to gauge interest. Once a determination is made if enough employees want the vaccines, we will coordinate a one-time mobile vaccination site to accommodate those wishing to take advantage of this opportunity.
I continue to encourage everyone to consult their health care professional and receive the vaccination if not otherwise contraindicated. Remember, complications from the vaccine are rare. There are no absolutes in medicine, and a certain number of individuals may experience adverse reactions to any vaccine. Once vaccinated, a breakthrough exposure may occur. Symptoms may be absent, minor, or severe (though severe enough to require hospitalization is extremely rare). Whichever the case, the severity is likely lessened if one is vaccinated.
If you continue to have doubts regarding the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, please do not rely on the opinions of celebrity doctors, social media pundits, political posturing, or break-room hearsay. Your primary care provider or healthcare professional is the best source of up to date, scientific data. Your life or someone close to you is not worth the risk of depending on flawed or skewed data.
We can still take care of one another by staying home if ill. Please be considerate and don’t unnecessarily jeopardize others. Consult your primary health care provider and get vaccinated unless an identified contraindication exists. If you are sick, stay home. If you are exposed or test positive, contact Human Resources.
Thank you for doing your part to end this pandemic.
Danny Kistner
Fire Chief