The New York State tiered distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine makes it crucial that residents know when they are eligible to receive the vaccine, where they are slated to receive their shots, and how to make an appointment.
Earlier this month, United Health Services unveiled a New York State Southern Tier Regional COVID-19 Vaccination website at www.nyuhs.org/southerntiervax, which shows a county-by-county look where doses are available at pharmacies, hospitals and local health departments statewide, and also includes links for how to make an appointment at each facility.
If someone is unable to make an appointment online, call 1-833-NYS-4VAX (1-833-697-4829), although callers are warned there may be a long hold time due to the volume.
Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
With the word of the additional doses, the Governor says counties can decide if they want to add restaurant workers and for-hire drivers to the 1B priority group for vaccination.
The Broome County Health Department reports all its appointments for the site at the SUNY Broome Community College Ice Center for the week of February 1 are taken.
The County, as per the directive from New York State, is only vaccinating group 1B eligible essential workers. Front-line health care workers are being vaccinated at area hospitals and eligible residents in groups 1A and 1B and those aged 65 and older can schedule appointments for the New York State vaccination site at the former Gannett publishing facility in Johnson City. To register for that site go to https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov. People who do not have access to a computer can call 211 for assistance.
COVID-19 vaccination with fits and starts
The top administrator for a healthcare system that serves patients in a 12-county region in New York and Pennsylvania acknowledged that supply challenges result in a vaccination process with “fits and starts” but no patients will have appointments cancelled. Right now, the fundamental issue for us is the unpredictable nature of when we are going to receive those vaccine supplies, said Dr. Joseph Scopelliti, president and CEO of Guthrie, a non-profit integrated health system that includes Guthrie Corning Hospital in Steuben County. We do anticipate that on a weekly basis we get a resupply of vaccines, that is the way it has been working for the last five weeks.
Southern Tier Has 100% COVID Inoculation Record
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January 21, New York Governor Andrew Como said the Southern Tier had administered 32,180 vaccines, giving it a 1005 performance rating. Statewide, health care distribution sites have administered 93% of first doses and 91% of second doses but is still waiting for more shots to be sent from the federal government.
Both state and local health officials say many more shots could be given if only they were available as residents continue to snap up appointment times as quickly as they open.
Broome County’s Health Department Director, Rebecca Kauffman says the administration of the 400 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine it received this week from the state has gone smoothly in a one-day clinic at the new vaccination pod at SUNY Broome Community College.