Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Queens nurse who received first COVID vaccine named Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Jul 3, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Shannon Stapleton-Pool/Getty Images
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Jul 3, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The Queens nurse who was the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in America will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, President Joe Biden announced on Friday.
Sandra Lindsay, a critical care nurse at Northwell Health and a native of Jamaica, was one of the 17 recipients chosen for the honor. She received her first jab of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on December 14th, 2020 and her second shot on January 4th, 2021.
Lindsay served on the front lines of the pandemic in one of the hardest-hit cities in the country. She was the first American to receive a COVID-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials. In Biden’s announcement, she was also described as a prominent advocate for vaccines and mental health for health care workers.
“I am humbled and honored to be among the 17 extraordinary recipients of The Presidential Medal of Freedom!” Lindsey wrote in a LinkedIn post on Saturday. “This recognition is significant for me and my loved ones. It is also a huge recognition for my Northwell Health family, nurses and healthcare workers around the world, women, women of color, Jamaicans, minorities and immigrants to name a few!”
Images of her calm and courageous demeanor as she received her first shot were publicized as proof the U.S. was making progress in its fight against the deadly virus that has claimed more than 1 million lives to date.
“I feel hopeful today,” Lindsay said to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo after receiving the vaccine in 2020. “I'm relieved. I feel like healing is coming. I hope this marks the beginning to the end of a very painful time in our history.”
Other names on Biden's Medal of Freedom list included former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, gold medalists Simone Biles and Megan Rapinoe, actor Denzel Washington, the late Republican Sen. John McCain and the late co-founder of Apple Steve Jobs.
A ceremony will be held at the White House on July 7th.
Tagged
COVID-19
vaccine
Catalina Gonella
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC
The DSA's NYC chapter accused the NYPD of collaborating with ICE and demanded Mayor Mamdani hold Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch responsible.
By
Elizabeth Kim
,
Brigid Bergin
and
Ben Feuerherd
Published Oct 9, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET
Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.
By
Kaya Laterman
News
Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash
When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.
By
Kaya Laterman
NY will opt in Trump’s school choice program, Hochul says
By
Jon Campbell
Residents, lawmakers warned for months of potential for deadly ICE activity in Marble Hill
By
David Brand
Manhattan DA argues judge shouldn't dismiss state charges against Luigi Mangione
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .