Maloney Urges Hesitant Putnam County Residents To Be Vaccinated

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney joined Putnam County Legislator Nancy Montgomery, Philipstown Supervisor Richard Shea, Drug World Chief Operating Officer Mark Snyder, and Putnam County Health Department officials at the Philipstown Recreation Department vaccine distribution site in Garrison as part of his ongoing effort to combat vaccine hesitancy.

It was the third stop on the Congressman’s vaccine awareness tour. Previously, he held events in Orange County and Dutchess County.

"Putnam County has done a stand-up job getting so many folks vaccinated in the last few months. Nearly 70% of the population ages 18 and up have at least one shot. That’s good progress, but we’ve got more work to do to reach herd immunity," Maloney said. "From this point on, we have to work harder for each vaccine. We need to redouble outreach in communities with low levels of trust in government and combat misinformation and fake news wherever it appears. That’s why we are standing here today, outside this Johnson and Johnson one-shot, walk-in vaccine center. I encourage every single resident to get to a vaccination site near you because this vaccine is safe, it is free, and it will save your life."

As of Thursday, 69.9 percent of Putnam County residents age 18 and older have received at least one shot. Putnam's overall 58.5 percent rate slightly outpaces the statewide vaccination rate of 54 percent, according to the state vaccine tracker.

However, the consensus among public health experts is that the county will not reach herd immunity until at least 70 percent of the total population is immunized, and COVID-19 vaccine sites continue to see a steady decline in those who are willing to be vaccinated. As supply of the vaccine outstrips demand, it is imperative to focus outreach on undervaccinated communities and encourage every New Yorker to get their shot, Maloney said.

“For six months, The Putnam County Department of Health through mass vaccination PODs, along with the efforts of local providers and pharmacies, have helped ensure that all Putnam County residents have easy access to vaccines," said Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell. "Now with nearly 50% of Putnam County with completed vaccination series, and less demand for mass events, the vaccine efforts have begun to shift toward office-based healthcare providers. We are proud of the tremendous efforts of our local health department, the dedicated volunteers, and community partners in all they have done to help us get vaccinated and get back to life."

Maloney said he recognizes vaccine hesitancy as the major roadblock to New York and the county at large achieving herd immunity.