Rockland Vaccinates Essential Workers, 65+ With Week's Allocation

NEW CITY, NY — Rockland received 1,300 doses of coronavirus vaccine this week, county health officials announced Wednesday.

They were allocated to essential workers and the elderly — 700 for the former and 600 for the latter. Appointments were filled immediately, The Journal News reported.

Local health departments like Rockland are asked to concentrate on getting police, firefighters, teachers and other essential workers vaccinated first.

However, since the local pharmacy/provider network is still getting ready to vaccinate people age 65 and above, the state sent the county doses of vaccine this week allocated for senior residents.

"We are pleased to be able to provide this week's vaccine distribution to both essential workers and those 65 years of age," said County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert in an announcement. "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."

The allocation for those 65+ is not guaranteed going forward, officials said.

New York health officials have begun sending out weekly information about dosage allocation. The state prioritized vaccines for frontline healthcare workers first and sent doses only to hospitals at the outset. Since the distribution expanded, Rockland's allocations have varied widely.

Rockland County is going to start posting vaccine allotment information on its coronavirus webpages, county officials said. See how Westchester County posted last week's vaccine allocation here.

To assist the senior population in navigating the appointment process, the Rockland County Office for the Aging scheduled 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 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spanish and Creole speakers are available.

Please be patient if their phone bank is busy helping other residents, county officials asked.

"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," said County Executive Ed Day. "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."

The Office for the Aging can also help seniors with transportation to appointments as part of the Medical Transportation program.

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 networks or practice groups must be made through them.

The routine for vaccinations: 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.

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.

Rockland County health officials said they cannot predict how many more doses will be received in the coming weeks and encouraged eligible individuals to sign up for appointments wherever they are available.

SEE ALSO: Feds To Send NY More Coronavirus Vaccines: What You Need To Know