The first vial of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to be opened at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital on December 22. The ten doses it contained went to medical providers, ICU nurses, Emergency Department staff, lab personnel and other frontline hospital staff. (Sun photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY – Starting Monday New York State approved the second wave of coronavirus vaccinations for the next category of people eligible for the vaccine.

According to Chenango County Director of Environmental Health and Code Enforcement Isaiah Sutton, the health department hopes to receive its first vaccine today, and to administer them to our clinic staff tomorrow.

Sutton said the plan is to start with specific groups mandated by New York State, and use the limited amount of vaccines being provided to have prioritized populations vaccinated by mid-April.

He said anyone who believes they are able to get the vaccine should reach out via email to covid19@co.chenango.ny.us with a description of why they are eligible and they will be added to a waiting list.

“Folks that believe they are eligible can email us there with the information for their eligibility, and once we get that set up we can reach back out to them,” said Sutton. “We’re ready to get it out as fast as we receive it.”