CHENANGO – Limited amounts of COVID-19 vaccine will be available during the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination program in New York.

 

The New York State Department of Health has developed a prioritization and allocation framework based on the guidance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). They have identified groups, or occupational types to be offered the vaccine in the first of many phases.

 

During the first phase, it is recommended that vaccines be provided to critical populations who are most at risk.

This first phase includes groups such as healthcare personnel, first responders in medical roles, medical examiners and coroners, funeral workers and persons living in and working in long term care facilities.

The general public is not eligible for vaccine in this first phase. 

 

In the Southern Tier, United Health Services has been given the task of prioritizing which staff receive the vaccine within the first phase in their facilities. There is a limited amount of vaccine in Chenango County at this time and the vaccine has been designated by NYS for only the priority groups listed in Phase 1a at this time.

 

The local health department has not received any vaccine, but the first delivery is anticipated in a week or so.  

The first task will be to vaccinate individuals in Phase 1a who have not been vaccinated by United Health Services. This process is rapidly developing. As soon as there is more vaccine available, the health department will inform the public of the plan to distribute what they are given. Please continue to monitor Facebook and website as linked below.

www.facebook.com/ChenangoLHD

 https://www.co.chenango.ny.us/public-health/nursing/communicable-diseases.php#tab-3

 

For more information on the distribution of the vaccine please visit https://forward.ny.gov/covid-19-vaccine-distribution

 

Persons with questions or requiring additional information may contact the Chenango County Health Department at (607) 337-1660.