‘I’m excited’: San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg received his first COVID-19 vaccine

On Saturday, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg rolled up his sleeve and joined more than 700,000 of his constituents who have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Earlier this month, Nirenberg dialed 311 to make his first vaccination appointment. He waited about 20 minutes to schedule his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Alamodome, a city-run distribution site.

While en route to the Alamodome on Saturday, Nirenberg said he didn’t have trepidation about the shot, only excitement. Once he arrived at the site, he congratulated residents who were in line for their doses and spent time thanking members of the San Antonio Fire Department for their work in help getting the city vaccinated.

“I’m excited, I’ve been waiting so long for this,” the mayor said moments before the injection.

A few seconds and jokes later, the mayor was set with his vaccine card and a sticker commemorating the first step of the process.

“Yes, I got it,” he said, raising his hands in the air in exaltation.

Nirenberg spent the 15-minute observation period following the shot answering questions from the media.

“I was looking at that vaccine card and thinking about all the things we have been through as a community, as a country,” Nirenberg reflected. “To get that card in my hand, I have to admit, there’s a little bit of emotion attached to having that card now. We’ve been through so much and to get it is a signal that this is the beginning to an end of this very challenging, terrible period that our country has been through the last year.”

At this point last year, San Antonio had just been launched into the national spotlight following a mega food bank distribution site at Trader’s Village. Photos captured by San Antonio Express-News photographer William Luther showing thousands of families lining up for groceries gripped the country as they visualized the economic hardship brought on by the pandemic.

A year later, Nirenberg spoke of “relief.”

“This is the beginning of the end to this pandemic,” he said.

The 44-year-old incumbent waited to set up his appointment until all Texans 16 and older were eligible to receive the vaccine. He said he was “happy” to show San Antonio residents that there is no “stigma” in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

“This is the next big step we can all take to going back to enjoying life again,” he said. “These vaccines are safe and it’ll put an end to the coronavirus in our community. The fire department and Metro Health are doing an incredible job for our community. Just please go get a vaccine. It is safe and it’ll save your life.”

The Alamodome is now administering the vaccine, no appointment necessary, for people 16 and up from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.