Photo/Illutration A rescue worker receives a COVID-19 vaccination in Tokyo on May 2. (Yuki Edamatsu)

Ambulance crews are among the unsung heroes of the pandemic, performing their essential task of rushing patients with fevers to hospitals even though many of them have yet to receive inoculations against the novel coronavirus.

In short, they are putting their lives on the line in carrying out their public duties, a situation that one health expert warned could prove catastrophic if the vaccination program does not pick up speed.

“If rescue workers become infected, who is going to transport patients with fevers,” said Koji Wada, a professor of public health at the International University of Health and Welfare. “The effects would be unfathomable.”

Thirty-six off-duty rescue workers gathered in the basement of the Kanda Fire Station in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward on May 2 were among the lucky ones.

Doctors and nurses dispatched by the local medical association examined each individual and gave them a jab.

“I have been constantly worried about the risk of infection because I transport several patients running fevers every day, and have been doing so for a while,” said a 37-year-old rescue medic after getting inoculated. “This will give me peace of mind.”

The man explained that he always dons protective clothing and a face mask while working, but there have been instances of patients and family members not taking any precautions.

“The inside of the ambulance is cramped, so I was concerned,” he added.

Rescue workers are among front line health care professionals designated as the first group to receive vaccinations.

An estimated 153,000 rescue workers around Japan have to be vaccinated in total, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

Some local fire departments have no idea when the program will start.

The 3,000 or so rescue workers for the Yokohama Fire Department also are anxiously waiting for vaccinations, but no timetable has been set.

“Hospitals apparently need more time to prepare,” said an official in charge of the vaccinations.

Vaccinations for the Tokyo Fire Department began in late April, but so far only a few fire stations have been covered.

With many doctors, nurses and other health care professionals still waiting for jabs, inoculations of rescue workers and those at quarantine stations will likely continue at a slow pace.

This, say some experts, is due to the central government's mishandling of priorities to ensure all health care workers on the front line of the crisis are vaccinated.

(This article was written by Hiromi Kumai and Yuki Edamatsu.)

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