Yonkers Insider: Yonkers City Councilman John Rubbo, 4th District: COVID-19 Vaccine Facts.

 

COVID-19 VACCINE FACTS The vaccination is underway for high-risk priority population groups. New Yorkers who are currently eligible to get vaccinated are outlined in phases. Vaccine supplies will increase over time and are expected to be more widely available in spring or early summer 2021. New York State will distribute the COVID-19 vaccine in phases based on need and risk.   New Yorkers who are more likely to be exposed to the virus, and who are more likely to become seriously ill if they get COVID-19, will be offered the vaccine first. Both the federal government and New York State have developed plans to ensure that everyone will be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as large quantities are available, at no cost no matter where they live.   Thousands of health care providers will be able to offer vaccination, including doctors' offices, retail pharmacies, hospitals, and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) of priority groups. The State Department of Health will share additional information on where New Yorkers can get vaccinated as more vaccine doses become available.   PHASE 1A & PHASE 1B We are currently in Phase 1a and initial groups from Phase 1b.    Eligible New Yorkers in Phase 1a and 1b are: High-risk hospital workers (emergency room workers, ICU staff and Pulmonary Department staff) Residents and staff at nursing homes and other congregate care facilities Federally Qualified Health Center employees EMS workers Coroners, medical examiners and certain funeral workers Staff and residents at OPWDD, OMH and OASAS facilities Urgent Care providers Individuals administering COVID-19 vaccines, including local health department staff All Outpatient/Ambulatory front-line, high-risk health care workers of any age who provide direct in-person patient care All staff who are in direct contact with patients (i.e., intake staff) All front-line, high-risk public health workers who have direct contact with patients, including those conducting COVID-19 tests, handling COVID-19 specimens and COVID-19 vaccinations This includes, but is not limited to, Doctors who work in private medical practices and their staff  Doctors who work in hospital-affiliated medical practices and their staff Doctors who work in public health clinics and their staff Registered Nurses Specialty medical practices of all types Dentists and Orthodontists and their staff Psychiatrists and Psychologists and their staff Physical Therapists and their staff Optometrists and their staff Pharmacists and Pharmacy Aides Home care workers Hospice workers Staff of nursing homes/skilled nursing facilities who did not receive COVID vaccination through the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program  Beginning January 11, 2021: Individuals Age 65 and older First Responders and Support Staff for First Responder Agencies Fire Service State Fire Service, including firefighters and investigators (professional and volunteer) Local Fire Services, including firefighters and investigators (professional and volunteer) Police and Investigators State Police, including Troopers State Park Police, DEC Police, Forest Rangers SUNY Police Sheriffs' Offices County Police Departments and Police Districts City, Town, and Village Police Departments Transit or other Public Authority Police Departments State Field Investigators, including Department of Motor Vehicles, State Commission of Correction, Justice Center, Department of Financial Services, Inspector General, Department of Tax and Finance, Office of Children and Family Services and State Liquor Authority Public Safety Communications Emergency Communication and Public Safety Answering Point Personnel, including dispatchers and technicians Other Sworn and Civilian Personnel Court Officers Other Police or Peace Officers Support of Civilian Staff for Any of the above services, agencies, or facilities Corrections State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Personnel, including correction and parole officers Local Correctional Facilities, including correction officers Local Probation Departments, including probation officers State Juvenile Detention and Rehabilitation Facilities Local Juvenile Detention and Rehabilitation Facilities P-12 Schools P-12 school or school district faculty or staff (includes all teachers, substitute teachers, student teachers, school administrators, paraprofessional staff and support staff including bus drivers) Contractors working in a P-12 school or school district (including contracted bus drivers) Licensed, registered, approved or legally exempt group Childcare Providers Employees or Support Staff of Licensed or Registered Childcare Setting Public Transit Airline and airport employees Passenger railroad employees Subway and mass transit employees (i.e., MTA, LIRR, Metro North, NYC Transit, Upstate transit) Ferry employees Port Authority employees Public bus employees Individuals living in a homeless shelter where sleeping, bathing or eating accommodations must be shared with individuals and families who are not part of the same household Individual working (paid or unpaid) in a homeless shelter where sleeping, bathing or eating accommodations must be shared by individuals and families who are not part of the same household, in a position where there is potential for interaction with shelter residents Public-facing grocery store workers In-person college instructors   HERE'S WHAT TO DO NEXT: Step 1: Determine eligibility and schedule an appointment. First, you should complete the Am I Eligible? HERE to check eligibility and find vaccination locations near you where you can schedule an appointment, or call the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline. Note that due to limited supply from the federal government, it may be 12 or more weeks before an appointment is available to you.     Step 2: Complete the Vaccine Form. Once and only once you have a confirmed appointment, you must complete the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Form. This form can be completed online and you will receive a submission ID, or can be completed at your vaccination site. (We encourage New Yorkers to complete the form ahead of time.)   Step 3: Bring proof of eligibility to your appointment. When you go to your vaccination site for your appointment, you must bring proof of eligibility. This may include an employee ID card, a letter from an employer or affiliated organization, or a pay stub, depending on the specific priority status. If you are eligible due to age, you should bring a form of ID (like a Driver's License or passport) that includes your date of birth. This is a lot of information but please don't feel overwhelmed.  My office is here to help.  Feel free to reach out to me at john.rubbo@yonkersny.gov and (914) 377-6314 for any questions or concerns. Thank you and I hope you find this helpful. Warmest regards,