Rochester News Release - Mayor Warren And Councilmember Melendez Call For Changes In COVID Vaccine Distribution

Press release from the City of Rochester:

Notable News:

City of Rochester

News Release

Notable News:

• Call for Regular 30% Allocation of Vaccines for Underserved Populations, Not “One-Offs” and a Two Week Extension of Dedicated Access to the St. Paul St. Site for Residents in Underserved Zip Codes
• Ask that Community Based Organizations to be Empowered to Complete Sign-ups in Predominately Black and Brown Neighborhoods
• City will Assist Residents via 311 and Community Outreach for Vaccination Signups
• Call for State to Regularly Release Vaccination Rate Data by Zip Code and Race.

(Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021) – Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren was joined today by City Councilmember Miguel Melendez Jr. in calling for changes in vaccine distribution for city residents. The leaders are asking the State for a two-week extension of dedicated access to the St. Paul St. mass vaccination site for residents in underserved zip codes to be followed by the commitment of 30% of future vaccine supply for underserved populations. In addition, they are requesting that Community Based Organizations (CBOs) be allowed to directly schedule such appointments.

While waiting for the State and local vaccine hub to act, the City will assist residents via its 311 call center to sign up for vaccination appointments. City employees and representatives from CBOs will also be conducting neighborhood outreach efforts in the eligible zip codes. In addition, R-centers and libraries will host registration stations with guided support.

“The data shows that current efforts are failing to provide this life-saving vaccine to our city’s Black, Brown and poor residents. Therefore, we need more than “one-offs” or “pop-ups,” said Mayor Warren. “Our residents deserve to know that there is a dedicated, regular supply of vaccines available for them. An extension of access to the St. Paul St. site and a commitment of 30% of available vaccines is fair and reasonable to ensure equity. I sincerely hope that the leaders of our local vaccine hub and our State will agree and join us in good faith to serve our community.”

Mayor Warren and Councilmember Melendez Call for Changes in COVID Vaccine Distribution

Currently, the State’s new mass vaccination site will only be dedicated to city residents in certain zip codes (see below) for one week beginning March 3. After that week, all eligible county residents will be able to schedule appointments. The leaders asked that the dedicated access to the St. Paul St. site be extended for two additional weeks and that CBOs be provided a direct link into the State’s scheduling system to sign up Black, Brown and poor residents

.“Frankly, where the vaccination site is located is not enough,” said Mayor Warren. “We need an intentional effort that will go into our neighborhoods, knock on residents’ doors, call them and sign them up to be vaccinated. We will provide this solution in partnership with our Community Based Organizations, like IBERO and others. We will make 311 available to sign up eligible residents. However, we need the State and the local vaccine hub leadership to further empower us to do so.”

“We are committed to ensuring our elders in the Black and Brown communities are vaccinated. We know how to reach our people culturally, contextually, linguistically and otherwise,” said Councilmember Melendez, speaking on behalf of IBERO. “We have the on-the-ground relationships and the capacity to be a part of an equity strategy. Look to us as allies in the fight for a more equitable distribution.”

While calling for needed changes in vaccine distribution, Mayor Warren and Councilmember Melendez urged residents to attempt to sign up beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 8 a.m. for the State’s new site located on St. Paul St. City residents in eligible neighborhoods can call 311 for assistance with obtaining an appointment.

Residents can also visit https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX, if eligible under Phase 1a, 1b or 1c to schedule an appointment.

Mayor Warren shared the most recent COVID-19 vaccination rates in the zip codes eligible for the St. Paul St. vaccination site. She also called for the State to regularly release vaccination rate data by zip code and race.

“The only way to ensure equity is through transparency,” said Mayor Warren. “Therefore, I call on the State to regularly provide vaccination rate data by zip code and race. Together, we would be able view our progress and act accordingly.”

The following libraries and R-Centers will host registration stations to assist residents in signing up to receive the vaccine:

Rochester Public Library Branches

• Central Library Downtown, 115 South Ave., 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Mon.–Fri.
• Lyell Branch, 956 Lyell Ave., 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri.; and 12 noon–6 p.m., Thurs.
• Phyllis Wheatley Community Library, 33 Dr. Samuel McCree Way, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri.; and 12 noon–6 p.m., Thurs.
• Arnett Branch, 310 Arnett Blvd., 12 noon–6 p.m., Mon.–Thur., ; and 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Fri.;
• Maplewood Community Library, 1111 Dewey Ave., 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Mon., Tue., Wed., Fri. ; and 12 noon–6 p.m., Thu.
• Lincoln Branch, 851 Joseph Ave., 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri.; and 12 noon–6 p.m., Thurs.

R-Centers (10 a.m.–6 p.m.)

• Trenton and Pamela Jackson R-Center, 485 N. Clinton Ave.
• David F. Gantt R-Center, 700 North St.
• Edgerton R-Center, 41 Backus St.
• Thomas P. Ryan R-Center, 530 Webster Ave.
• Tyshaun Caldwell R-Center, 524 Campbell St.
• Avenue D R-Center, 200 Avenue D
• Carter Street R-Center, 500 Carter St.

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This press release was produced by the City of Rochester. The views expressed here are the author’s own.