By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
Last week, the Madison County Department of Health (MCDOH) hosted four days of COVID-19 vaccination clinics for eligible individuals.
On Jan. 4, New York State began week four of Phase 1A of New York State’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program, which prioritizes the distribution of the vaccine by population risk and essential worker phases.
According to a Jan. 4 press release from the MCDOH, the following populations are prioritized for 1A vaccination:
- High-risk hospital and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) staff, including NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) psychiatric centers
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel
- Medical examiners and coroners
- Funeral workers who have direct contact with infectious material and bodily fluids
- Agency staff and residents in congregate living situations run by the NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), OMH and NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
- Urgent Care providers
- Staff administering the COVID-19 vaccine
- All outpatient/ambulatory front-line, high-risk health care workers of any age who provide direct in-person patient care, or other staff in positions that have direct contact with patients (i.e., intake staff). This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who work in private medical practices; hospital-affiliated medical practices; public health clinics; specialty medical practices of all types; dental practices of all types; dialysis workers; diagnostic and treatment centers; occupational therapists; physical therapists; speech therapists; phlebotomists; behavioral health workers; and student health workers
- All front-line, high-risk public health workers who have direct contact with patients, including those conducting COVID-19 tests, those handling COVID-19 lab specimens and those directly engaged in COVID-19 vaccinations.
Held Tuesday through Friday, the MCDOH clinics were open exclusively to those who were considered to be part of Phase 1A and had appointments.
“We have a long road ahead, but being able to host vaccine clinics is the first step,” said Madison County Public Health Director Eric Faisst in the press release. “Being able to vaccinate people gives us hope, as we begin to gain some control over this pandemic. Vaccinating is what we do; public health department staff are trained and experienced in administering community vaccination events.”
On the morning of Jan. 8, Public Information Officer Samantha Field reported that the county had administered a total of 834 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to date.
“That’s a great number,” she said. “Everyday we increase the number we can do . . . Everyday we are making adjustments to our clinic and seeing how we can work more efficiently. Yesterday was our biggest day; we did 310. By comparison, on Tuesday, when we started the clinics, it was 200.”
The MCDOH administered its first shot of the vaccine at 9 a.m. on Dec. 31.
In total, 90 doses were administered that day to individuals included in the original 1A eligibility group.
“The state has since added additional individuals to that 1A group,” explained Field. “The original group we administered the vaccine to included people like EMTs, funeral home directors, medical personnel who are on the front-lines, and people who work in group homes for the disabled . . . As of Monday, [Jan. 4], the 1A group changed to what it looks like now, which is a bigger pool of people who can come and get vaccinated.”
According to Field, additional 1A clinic dates were posted on the Madison County website on Friday, Jan. 8.
Appointments can be made at madisoncounty.ny.gov/2675/COVID-19-Vaccine-Information.
Individuals are required to bring proof of eligibility for vaccination, such as an employee ID card, a letter from an employer or affiliated organization, or a pay stub.
The COVID-19 vaccine is a two shot series; the second shot is administered 28 days after the initial shot of the same vaccine brand. Individuals in need of the second shot are also permitted to sign up for the MCDOH clinics.
According to Field, the county has yet to be informed of the start date for Phase 1B, which will include teachers and education workers, first responders, public safety workers, public transit workers, and people 75 and older.
“If you are not eligible yet, please hold off,” she said. “We understand you want to get vaccinated, but please wait until it opens up. We are at the liberty of the state to give out the vaccine.”
Madison County residents are also encouraged to continue wearing facemasks, practicing social distancing, and washing their hands.
Testing dates
On Jan. 1, the MCDOH announced it would be partnering with SUNY Upstate Medical University to offer COVID-19 nasopharyngeal diagnostic tests by appointment only on the following dates:
Thursday, Jan. 14 from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 21 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 28 from 4 to 8 p.m.
The walk-through style testing will be conducted inside the Madison County Office Building Main Lobby at 138 North Court St., Building 4 (DMV building) in Wampsville.
All Individuals over age two must wear a facial covering.
To set up an appointment, call 315-464-2582 and select option 2.
The MCDOH encourages callers to stay on the line rather than leave a message, as callbacks may take several weeks.
Additional information and guidance is available at madisoncounty.ny.gov.
