Governor Cuomo announces state to expand immunization network to include sites designed to serve population 65 and older



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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the state will partner with local health departments to include vaccination sites for people over 65 in New York State. These sites will partner with local health departments and, if necessary, provide assistance to New Yorkers with transportation to and from vaccination centers and special support with paperwork regarding their vaccination. As New York State’s vaccine allocations increase, these 65 facilities and appointments will be made possible through additional supply from the federal government. New York state counties will benefit from an increased supply of Moderna vaccine for this purpose starting next week.

“New York is getting more and more needles in the guns every day, with a focus on vaccinating our most vulnerable residents,” Governor Cuomo said. “We know our senior New Yorkers are at higher risk of COVID, and it is essential that we provide them with access to the vaccine directly in their own communities, as well as the assistance they need to plan and get to their homes. go and come back. . By working with our local health departments to establish these sites, we will help make the process of receiving a vaccine as easy as possible for our population aged 65 and over, and move us closer to our goal of social equity and justice through the distribution of vaccines.

New York has been working to implement a number of improvements to the hotline to further improve the appointment process and the senior experience, a line specifically for New Yorkers of 75 years and older giving them direct access to staff who can help plan or respond. questions.

Site details, including locations, opening dates and hours of operation, will be provided by the site host or sponsor. As a reminder, eligible New Yorkers can schedule appointments at mass vaccination sites across the state using the New York “ Am I Eligible ” website or by calling the COVID-vaccination hotline. 19 State at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1- 833-697-4829). New York has worked on implementing a number of enhancements to the hotline to further improve the appointment process and the senior experience, a line specifically for New Yorkers as well. 75-year-old giving them direct access to staff who can help plan or respond. questions.

In late 2020, the governor announced the launch of the New York Vaccine Equity Task Force, chaired by Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, National Urban League Chief Executive Officer Marc Morial, and President -Healthfirst CEO Pat Wang. Since its inception, the task force has continued to work to ensure that vulnerable and underserved communities are not left behind by removing barriers to immunization and ensuring equitable distribution of the vaccine throughout the state.

In addition, New York has established more than 104 community-based temporary immunization sites in churches, community centers and public housing complexes directly within communities across the state that have been underserved by health care systems. traditional health care. As of January 15, these sites have enabled approximately 45,000 New Yorkers to receive their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at these community pop-up sites. After the administration of the first doses, the sites are then reestablished three weeks later to administer the second doses.

New York will continue to create these pop-up sites until they are placed in NYCHA’s 33 senior housing estates, which are home to more than 7,600 seniors. Pop-up locations will also continue to be created in other public housing complexes across the state, as well as in more than 300 churches and cultural centers that have volunteered to house these sites through the Working Group on Governor Cuomo’s vaccine equity.

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