Mayor Mamdani and Curtis Sliwa Receive Flu Shots Together

FORT GREENE, Brooklyn (WABC) -- Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his former political rival, Curtis Sliwa, received flu shots together at a medical office in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, on Friday. Sliwa, who was defeated by Mamdani in the previous November election, joked about their past rivalry, stating, "This is not the kind of shots we used to give one another!" He acknowledged Mamdani's popularity, saying, "You know he got more votes than me, he's more popular than me, but you don't have bigger muscles!" The mayor received his flu shot to encourage New Yorkers to get vaccinated as the temperatures drop. Sliwa, known for his role as the founder of the Guardian Angels and a survivor of a shooting incident in 1992, expressed his nervousness about receiving the shot. Mamdani offered support, saying, "I can hold your hand," and assured Sliwa as he received the vaccine. After the shot, Sliwa humorously asked if he could use his 'I got my flu shot' button for subway fare instead of an OMNY card. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of needing to visit a doctor due to the flu by up to 60%.