Rockland Resident Happy Vaccine Back-and-Forth Is Over

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — A educator who lives in Rockland County and works in New Jersey has received her first dose of coronavirus vaccine after being the victim of an internal policy dispute over whether essential workers with jobs out of state are eligible for priority vaccination in New York.

Lindsay and Christopher Richmond were caught in a frustrating cycle as vaccine appointments were canceled, rescheduled and canceled again while state officials gave contradictory orders over whether they were eligible. Both work in school districts across the county line — in Bergen. SEE: HV Couple Caught In NY Contradictions On Vaccine Eligibility

Then, when the dispute was resolved, the vaccine appointment was canceled again — this time due to bad weather — but only for a day.

"After laughing at another postponement due to the weather on Sunday, I was relieved to finally receive the vaccine on Monday," Lindsay Richmond told Patch.

The problem started when she arrived at the Westchester County Center for her vaccine appointment, having filled out the state's "Am I Eligible" form, and was told she was not in fact eligible because she worked over the border in Bergen County, New Jersey. She's a teacher and her husband works in school IT, so he canceled his later appointment.

After seeing a report on their plight in The Journal News, Rockland officials did some research. They were told by health officials in the state's regional office that the Richmonds were in fact in the eligible 1b category.

The county executive's office offered them shots, then heard from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office that they could not. So Rockland officials canceled the proffered vaccination appointment.

Then a journalist asked about the spiraling controversy during a public press briefing. Cuomo called it a "mindbender" and the word came down that the county could go ahead and vaccinate the Richmonds.

"I was excited that the situation was finally sorted out between all parties involved, and that all essential workers who are residents of NY state, regardless of their state of employment, are eligible to receive the vaccine. It only makes sense to protect New Yorkers and stop the spread," Lindsay Richmond told Patch.