The first COVID-19 vaccines are here. While availability is limited in the initial weeks of the vaccination program, more and more Livingston County residents will become eligible as the vaccine supply increases. In December 2020, two COVID-19 vaccines were authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and approved by New York’s COVID-19 Clinical Advisory Task Force. New York State had developed a COVID-19 Vaccine Program that prioritizes distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine based on need and risk.
While the vaccination process is underway, everyone should wear a mask, social distance and avoid small and large gatherings.
According to the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Program, vaccination recipients are prioritized into phases based on science, clinical expertise and federal guidelines. One of New York’s prioritization strategies for vaccine distribution is designed to ensure early vaccination of the most vulnerable New Yorkers as well as essential front line workers. The phases are as follows:
· Phase 1: High-risk hospital workers; nursing home residents and staff; all long-term and congregate care residents and staff; EMS workers; and other health care workers, coroners and medical examiners
· Phase 2: First responders; teachers; school staff; childcare providers; public health workers; essential frontline workers who regularly interact with public or maintain critical infrastructure; other long-term care facility patients and individuals living in other congregate settings; and individuals in general population deemed particularly high risk due to comorbidities and health conditions
· Phase 3: Individuals over 65; individuals under 65 with high-risk health conditions
· Phase 4: All other essential workers
· Phase 5: Remainder of the population
New York State is currently in the midst of Phase 1A and has provided the following 5-week vaccine prioritization schedule for this phase only.
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Week
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Start Date
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Populations Prioritized
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1
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Beginning of campaign
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– High-risk hospital staff, affiliates, volunteers and contract staff, following the clinical risk assessment guidance |
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2
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12/21/20
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– High-risk hospital staff including state-operated psychiatric centers – Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel – Medical examiners and coroners – Funeral workers who have direct contact with infectious material and bodily fluids – Health care or other high-risk direct care essential staff working in long-term care facilities and long-term congregate settings overseen by the state – Persons living in long-term care facilities and in long-term congregate settings overseen by the state |
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3
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12/28/20
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– High-risk hospital and federally qualified health center staff, including state psychiatric centers – Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel – Medical examiners and coroners – Agency staff and residents in congregate living situations run by the state – Urgent care providers – Any staff administering COVID-19 vaccinations |
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4
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1/4/21
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All populations included in Weeks 1- 3, as well as: – All outpatient and ambulatory front-line, high-risk health care workers of any age who provide direct in-person patient care, or other staff in a position in which they have direct contact with patients (i.e., intake staff) – All front-line, high-risk public health workers who have direct contact with patients, including those conducting COVID-19 tests and handling COVID-19 specimens and COVID-19 vaccinations |
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5
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1/11/21
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All populations included in Weeks 1-4, as well as: – Home care workers – Hospice workers – Staff of nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities who did not receive a COVID-19 vaccination |
Livingston County Department of Health (LCDOH) has not received the COVID-19 vaccine at this time. However, Tri-County Family Medicine and UR Medicine/Noyes Health are currently scheduling COVID-19 Moderna vaccine inoculations for all frontline health care workers in our service area. This includes all forms of health care (including dentistry, mental health, physical therapy, and chiropractic care) and includes direct service providers and support staff who interact face-to-face with the public. YOU MUST HAVE AN APPOINTMENT. NO WALK-INS. You must also provide proof of occupation. To schedule an appointment:
· Tri-County Family Medicine COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline – call 585-432-2304 or 585-432-2313
· UR Medicine/Noyes Health – register online here
According to Jennifer Rodriguez, Livingston County’s Public Health Director, “Along with our regional partners, we have been working on plans to distribute a vaccine since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. Our goal is to quickly and safely distribute the vaccine to prioritized groups as it becomes available.”
It may be several months before the vaccine is available for the general public. Please stay up to date by checking our website at www.livingstoncounty.us/doh.