Allegany County has one of the lowest vaccination rates in New York state Eva Benedict While we can see a light at the end of the COVID tunnel, we will be feeling the devastating effects of the pandemic for years to come. The best and fastest way to get “back to normal” is through widespread vaccination. Allegany County has one of the lowest vaccination rates in New York State. I urge you, please step-up and do your part for public health: Get vaccinated. Since March 2020, over 200 patients have been hospitalized at Jones Memorial with COVID-19. In addition, more than 80 Allegany County residents have died from the virus. Add in the isolation that residents of nursing homes and inpatients at hospitals have endured as well as the struggle by local businesses to stay afloat, and you begin to get an idea of the true cost of this pandemic. For over a year, we have all been missing personal once-in-a-lifetime events like weddings, graduations, special milestones as well as public events like concerts, parades, and fairs.