He was waiting at the Sierra Pacific transit clinic in northeastern Fresno on Friday to protect himself from the coronavirus.
There were no second thoughts for Madrid, just one idea in mind – survive this pandemic, as he did polio all those years ago.
“You know people are a little lazy to take it, to be sick afterwards, not me,” he said. “I feel okay.”
His daughter Gloria Mendoza accompanied him through the process.
She cared for him daily and took every precaution to protect her father.
“He took the shot like a pro,” she said. “He was there and I was very, very proud of him. Very proud of him. If it’s my time, I’ll take it next.”
Fresno province health officials said it was their goal this week to vaccinate 3,000 people, but they exceeded the number.
They are now preparing to deliver even more doses next week as they welcome a new group of people who are eligible for the shot.
Earlier this week, Fresno County switched to the next phase of distribution so residents 75 and older could get the vaccine.
This led to long waiting times and even longer queues.
But Mendoza said they were inside and out in less than an hour.
“They were nice, really organized,” she said. “I think it was maybe a wait of 30- to 40 minutes.”
But some who come out for their vaccine have no one to help them with the process.
That’s why health officials work with organizations for extra help.
“We’re really trying to develop a 1-800 number that individuals can call to get help registering online,” said Joe Prado, health department manager at Fresno County.
Fresno County wants to vaccinate half of its population by the end of July.
“It’s about building a distribution system, not just for the next thirty days, but for this entire period until July 31,” Prado says.
Fresno County Health Division Manager Joe Prado says to date, the country has received 47,000 doses of the vaccine.
There is already talk of all the doses left in the ultra-cold freezer.
“It goes to our clinic on the Fresno Scholarship and supports some of the other clinics as well as providers,” says Prado.
Health officials are currently working to make the vaccination process smoother.
To clear up confusion, Prado says they will further define the groups and categories that are eligible to be immunized.
For example, law enforcement will be able to get the vaccine under the category of emergency services next month, but it is not explicitly defined on the vaccination timeline.
“What we need to do and what we will do is add a definition to some of the categories of who falls under those categories so that people have more details about where they fall under,” says Prado.
Health officials say there is a reason why they choose this method, which may change in the future.
“If someone has an adverse reaction in the car and is across the parking lot from you, will you really be able to see and monitor them?” say Vohra
Some backups are also on the way.
According to Prado, more than 100 healthcare providers have applied to distribute the vaccine.
Prado says next week there are many more doses going to Fresno County.
Madrid is now waiting for its second dose.
And until then, he calls on everyone to do their part to protect our older men.
“I encourage people to be more careful with each other,” he said.
Clinica Sierra Vista in Fresno County begins residents 65 and older starting Monday. To be vaccinated in these and other places in the country, you must first register online for an appointment. People can register here.
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