HEALTH DEPARTMENT MANDATED TO VACCINATE ESSENTIAL WORKERS: CAN ASSIST SENIORS THIS WEEK

NEW CITY, NY, - The Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) announces the delivery of 2,100 doses of the Moderna vaccine for this week. Of these doses, 700 have been designated for eligible individuals in priority phase 1b that fall within the essential worker category. The state has mandated that local health departments vaccinate ONLY essential workers including police, firefighters, teachers, college professors, and grocery store workers. The full list of essential workers in phase 1b can be found here. Appointments are required. You must attest to being an essential worker in New York State to register for an appointment. To make an appointment visit: http://rcklnd.us/covid19

The additional 1,400 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were given to the RCDOH to help vaccinate New York State residents age 65 and above. The state is requiring that local pharmacies and physician network or practice groups vaccinate those 65 years of age and above. Since our local pharmacy/provider network is still in the process of getting ready to vaccinate our seniors, the state sent the RCDOH additional doses of vaccine this week to assist our senior residents. The Health Department does not anticipate being allowed to vaccinate those 65 years of age and above after this week.

"While we are more than willing to vaccinate any eligible individual, New York State has decided to delineate who vaccinates whom as they work towards a fair and equitable distribution of vaccine. We are pleased to be able to provide vaccine to both essential workers and those 65 years of age and above this week and will continue to follow NYS's rules surrounding this process while communicating those details to you as clearly and as often as possible," said County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert.

Any eligible senior/person with a disability must make an appointment here or can call the County's Office for the Aging at 845-364-2110 for assistance in making an appointment. The Office for the Aging can also help seniors with transportation to appointments as part of a Medical Transportation program. Whereas the Health Department is capable of vaccinating all individuals including age 65+, the New York State Department of Health has created rules that limit our ability to help seniors throughout the vaccination process. The Rockland County Health Department must follow the guidelines created by the state on who we can vaccinate.

ONLY THOSE WITH APPOINTMENTS WILL BE VACCINATED. You must bring proof that you are in the Phase 1b priority group. If an essential employee in New York State, bring an employee ID card, a letter from your employer or affiliated organization, recent pay stub, etc. If you are 65+, bring a New York State driver's license or non-driver ID card or proof of New York State residency.

If you have Medicare, please bring your card with you. The vaccine is free. People with Medicare pay nothing for COVID-19 vaccinations. There is no copay or co-insurance required; however, the Health Department can collect an administrative fee from Medicare.

Appointments must be made through the Rockland County Department of Health website by following the instructions:http://rcklnd.us/covid19. Check the state's Am I Eligible webpage to make sure you are eligible and for a list of state-run vaccination sites. Appointments for vaccinations performed by local pharmacies and physician network or practice groups must be made through their individual websites.

"Our Department of Health is battle tested and ready to get shots into the arms of whoever New York State allows. I am proud of our efforts and pleased to see our allocation of vaccine increased to match what we requested this week. I am especially thankful to the local residents and elected officials who spoke out and requested more vaccine from NYS, our words made a difference. I expect the state to, at minimum, continue this level of vaccine allocation as we work to vaccinate one of the hardest hit counties in NY and our entire country," said County Executive Ed Day.

The Rockland County Department of Health urges eligible individuals to sign up for appointments wherever they are available. RCDOH cannot predict how many more doses will be received in coming weeks.

As a reminder, wherever you receive your first dose of vaccine, you must return to that location for your second dose. You will make your appointment to receive your second dose when you receive your first dose.