FORT GREENE, Brooklyn (WABC) — Mayor Zohran Mamdani held hands with his one-time political rival, Curtis Sliwa, as they got their flu shots in a Fort Greene, Brooklyn, medical office on Friday.
“This is not the kind of shots we used to give one another!” Sliwa told the mayor, who soundly defeated his Republican challenger last November.
“You know he got more votes than me, he’s more popular than me,” Sliwa admitted, rolling up his sleeves. “But you don’t have bigger muscles!”
Mamdani agreed.
The mayor got his flu shot to encourage other New Yorkers to do the same as temperatures begin to dip.
The Guardian Angel founder is also a self-proclaimed expert on getting shot — actually shot, by bullets. He survived being shot five times in June 1992.
“I know about getting shot,” he assured the mayor.
But while the mayor took his flu shot with ease, Sliwa appeared increasingly nervous as the big moment approached.
“I’m supposed to be a tough guy,” Curtis confided.
“I can hold your hand,” the mayor offered
“What happens if I faint?” Sliwa asked.
“I’ve got you,” Mamdani assured him, grabbing his hand as Sliwa received his flu shot.
Relieved it was over, the old Sliwa quickly returned.
“Can I get on the subway with this instead of an OMNY card?” Sliwa asked, holding up his ‘I got my flu shot’ button. “Come on, Mr. Mayor!”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says getting the flu vaccine reduces the risk of having to go to the doctor with the flu by up to 60%.
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