‘It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders’: A local police officer details his experience getting vaccinated
"I hope more of my colleagues realize how important it is to get vaccinated and to set the example," Craig Pomeroy wrote.
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The ongoing effort to get Massachusetts residents vaccinated is underway, but not without hiccups. The state reports that over 1.5 million people received their first dose, while another 819,559 people are fully vaccinated. On Thursday morning, the state opened 40,000 new first-dose appointments at mass vaccination sites for the following week and by 11:30 a.m., they were all booked up as many rushed to secure a precious spot. Starting Friday, the state allowed all residents to pre-register for an appointment.
Recently, local police officer and Leominster resident Craig Pomeroy shared with Boston.com that he and his wife, both police officers at a small department in Central Mass., were able to get fully vaccinated over a month ago at a local hospital during Phase 1 of the state’s vaccine rollout.
For first responders, getting a vaccine allows them to work without added fear of contracting or spreading the deadly virus. “We no longer worry about contracting the virus and getting very sick. A lot of my colleagues around the state and nation have unfortunately contracted the virus at work and died from it,” Pomeroy wrote. “I’m very proud of the first responders in Massachusetts who continue to put themselves in harms way because they don’t have an option to work from home.”
While he was able to secure an appointment through work, some of his family and friends haven’t had as easy of a time. Pomeroy helped secure an appointment for his elderly mother who would not have been able to navigate the state’s website on her own. He also assisted another vaccine eligible family member and close friend in finding appointments. “I have become quite familiar with the ‘game,'” he wrote. “Between my wife and I, we have been able to make three appointments today. One has already gotten the vaccine and he feels great. The word has gotten out and my phone is suddenly filling up with requests from friends and family asking for help. And of course we will help them and do our best to hunt and find that sacred appointment.”
In a follow up e-mail conversation with Boston.com, Pomeroy detailed just how important getting a vaccine was to him and urged others who may be having difficulty booking appointments to not feel shy about asking for help.
Why was getting vaccinated important to you?
Getting vaccinated was extremely important to me. Everyday since the beginning of the pandemic as a police officer, we have had to risk our own safety and that of our loved ones in order to protect the public.
Did you feel a sense of relief?
Now that I’m fully protected, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel that I can do my job better and I’m not as worried about the risks associated with interacting with the public. I hope more of my colleagues realize how important it is to get vaccinated and to set the example.
What do you hope for once we’re through the pandemic?
When this pandemic is over, and hopefully it’s this summer, I won’t take the small things for granted, like shaking people’s hands, going to a busy store without fear. I am very optimistic that our lives will be enhanced, and these last 12 months will have bonded us together.
What would you say to others still trying to get an appointment or awaiting eligibility?
If you are still trying to get an appointment using the state’s website, I’m hoping they make the necessary changes so it’s more of a fair sign-up process. But don’t feel bad about asking someone for help. Responses were lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
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