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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2021
Contact: John Lyon, Director of Strategic Communications (845) 638-5645
Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, D.O., M.P.H., CPE, DABFM, FAAFP (845) 364-2512HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO VACCINATE ESSENTIAL WORKERS: CAN CONTINUE TO VACCINATE SENIORS THIS WEEKNEW CITY, NY, – The Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) announces the delivery of 1,300 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 Phase 1b 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 a Phase 1b essential worker in New York State (NYS) to register for an appointment. Phase 1b Essential Workers can make an appointment by visiting:http://rcklnd.us/covid19The additional 600 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were given to the RCDOH to help vaccinate New York State residents aged 65 and above. The state requires local pharmacies and physician networks or practice groups to vaccinate those 65+. 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 vaccinate our senior residents. The Health Department allocation for those 65+ is not guaranteed going forward.To assist the 65+ population in navigating the appointment process, the Rockland County Office for the Aging is scheduling all the appointments for this most recent allocation from New York State. Any eligible senior can call the Office for the Aging at 845-364-2110 for assistance in making an appointment, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Spanish and Creole speakers are available. Please be patient if their phone bank is busy helping other residents.”Our Department of Health and Office for the Aging are doing their best to streamline what can generously be called the chaotic rollout of this State vaccination process. I am proud of our local efforts which, as those who have been vaccinated at our Department of Health can attest, have efficiently and effectively gotten shots into arms of residents. We will continue to improve our local response to this problematic NYS process as best we can and ask for residents to remain patient. We know you want to be vaccinated and will do everything in our power to help you get the shot to protect you from this deadly disease,” said County Executive Ed Day.The Office for the Aging can also help seniors with transportation to appointments as part of the Medical Transportation program. Whereas the Health Department can vaccinate all individuals, including age 65+, the New York State Department of Health has created rules limiting our ability to help seniors throughout the vaccination process. The Rockland County Health Department must follow the guidelines developed by the state on who we can vaccinate.”We are pleased to be able to provide this week’s vaccine distribution to both essential workers and those 65 years of age. We will continue to follow NYS’s rules on who vaccinates whom as they work towards a fair and equitable distribution of vaccine and continue to communicate those details to you as clearly and as often as possible,” said County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert.ONLY THOSE WITH APPOINTMENTS WILL BE VACCINATED. If you are a Phase 1b essential employee in New York State, you must bring an employee ID card, a letter from your employer or affiliated organization, a 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.If you are in COVID-19 quarantine or isolation on the date of your appointment, DO NOT COME FOR THE VACCINE. Please call the Rockland County COVID-19 Call Center at 845-238-1956 Monday-Friday (except holidays) from 8:00 am-5:00 pm or email COVIDCallCenter@co.rockland.ny.us. Your appointment will be canceled and your name placed on a list for future vaccine administration.Check the state’s Am I Eligible webpage to make sure you are eligible and for a list of state-run vaccination sites. If you do not have access to a computer, eligible New Yorkers can call to schedule a vaccination appointment at a state-run site by calling the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline 1-833-697-4829. Vaccinations performed by local pharmacies and physician networks or practice groups must be made through them.The Rockland County Department of Health cannot predict how many more doses will be received in the coming weeks and encourages eligible individuals to sign up for appointments wherever they are available.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.