Rockland Coronavirus Update: More Vaccines For Seniors

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Rockland County is scheduled to receive its largest shipment yet of coronavirus vaccines as New York state enters week 12 of the vaccine rollout, and county officials are planning to whittle down the senior citizen waiting list.

In total, Rockland County providers are receiving 6,920 doses of COVID-19 vaccine during the week of March 1-7, far outpacing prior weeks' allocations, said County Executive Ed Day.

Day, who encourages everyone to get vaccinated when it's their turn, just received his first dose.

"While I have been eligible for a shot since January, when everyone 65 years of age and up became eligible, I had not sought a vaccine because I recognized that there were those in our community who needed it more than I did," he said. "But with vaccine supply now increasing and hearing the feedback I received from many residents along with my friends and family urging me to get the shot, I have done so. I encourage everyone to get the shot when it is their turn as I believe these vaccines are safe and effective and I trust the advice of the public health professionals in the Department of Health."

In Rockland, 53,035 people had received at least one dose by Wednesday, 16.3 percent of the county's population and on par with the rest of the state.

There were as of Wednesday 44 people hospitalized in the county with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19, which killed 59 residents in February.

Most recently incoming to Rockland this week are 2,920 doses that have been allocated for three categories of eligible residents, with most of them going to senior citizens.

• 1,700 Moderna vaccines (700 for Phase 1B essential workers, 500 for those with comorbidities and 500 for those 65+)
• 500 Johnson and Johnson vaccines (for those 65+)
• 720 Pfizer vaccines (for those 65+)

"We have recently seen a little more flexibility from the State in terms of who we are able to vaccinate and I am pleased that we are once again able to get shots into the arms of seniors at our Health Department clinic,” Day said Thursday. “And now that we are seeing increasing doses of all three FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines allocated to Rockland providers we are starting to make real progress.”

The Rockland County Department of Health is currently able to vaccinate these eligible groups:

• Essential Workers from Phase 1B
• Residents and Staff of congregate settings certified by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)
• Individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions
• Individuals who are 65+

Appointments for the 1,720 total doses allocated for seniors are being set up by the Rockland County Office for the Aging.

Seniors who signed up for the OFA's COVID-19 Vaccine Waitlist are being called in the order in which they joined. A week ago more than 11,000 people were on it. SEE: Rockland Opens Emergency Ops Center To Help Seniors With Vaccine

Rockland residents age 65 and older can get on the waitlist by calling the Rockland County Office for the Aging at 845-364-2110, 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays). Spanish and Creole speakers are available. In addition, residents can sign up online.

Appointments for those certified by the OPWDD are being set up by the Rockland County Department of Health.

Appointments for Essential Workers from Phase 1B and individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions are being made via weekly open public registration.

The Rockland County Department of Health announces each public registration hours ahead of time via press release, social media posts and website updates. This process will continue for the foreseeable future at different dates and times to allow for more access. You can follow or like the Rockland County Department of Health on either Facebook or Twitter and you can check the COVID-19 website for registration updates.

The county also posts a list of locations in Rockland receiving vaccine from New York State.

"My message to you is this, we will continue to do everything in our power to get shots into the arms of Rockland residents, to share information about where vaccinations are available and raise awareness around the importance of getting vaccinated. For those still searching, please be patient. This process is improving, and we will get you vaccinated,” said County Executive Day.

He also drew attention to an interactive map to assist residents trying to schedule shots that was just launched by WMCHealth, the Hudson region's hub for the vaccine rollout. SEE: HV Coronavirus: Help For Finding Vaccine Appointments.