Putnam Vaccine Implementation Continues: Third Closed POD Held for Law Enforcement and School Districts

/in , , , , , /by

The Putnam County Department of Health held its third closed point-of-dispensing, known as a “POD” clinic, and administered 308 vaccines to newly eligible Putnam residents and others who work in the County, as phase 1b implementation got underway here. This new group included police, fire fighters and school districts.

Rigid guidelines set by the state dictate who the health department may vaccinate. The health department shares this responsibility with other area providers including pharmacies and Putnam Hospital Center as well as the New York State run POD at Westchester County Center.

The health department expects to be scheduling a future clinic soon, however none are scheduled at this time. Scheduling can change quickly, and a POD may still be announced for next week. This flexibility is necessary because the health department only learns from NYS how much vaccine they will receive, and what new groups, if any, are eligible for a first dose, with less than one week’s notice. When a County POD is scheduled, a link will be sent directly to specific organizations or shared on the health department website as appropriate. Vaccine also may be available from a NYS vaccination site. Information and appointments at these large state-run sites, such as the Westchester County Center, can be found here: https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/

The NYS phased distribution and eligible groups for in Phase 1a and 1b are described here: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/phased-distribution-vaccine

Caption: Gerald Locascio, from Kent Police Department receives his COVID vaccine from Victoria Maxino, RN, a volunteer with Putnam’s Medical Reserve Corps.

  • 300 vaccines released to PCDOH from NYS January 12
  • 308 first doses administered on January 14 at a third closed POD, for 1a and 1b recipients (recipients included group homes, police, fire companies and school districts)
  • Groups and date for next clinic to be announced when vaccine shipment and guidelines are released from NYS

 

# # #

Please let us know if we can provide any additional information. Feel free to contact our Public Information Officer Shanna Siegel with any questions at 845-656-4905.

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell praised the county health department for establishing COVID-19 vaccine distribution sites, and called for the public’s patience as we await more vaccine supply.

/in , , , , , , , /by

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell praised the county health department for establishing COVID-19 vaccine distribution sites, and called for the public’s patience as we await more vaccine supply.

The Putnam County Department of Health administered 307 vaccines to seniors 75 and older and essential workers on Thursday at the Philipstown Recreation Center. That follows two successful vaccine points of dispensing, or PODS, at the Carmel Friendship Center, which vaccinated 611 people.

“Thursday’s venue was ideal, it means the health department now has a location in Philipstown and another in Carmel to administer the vaccine,” said County Executive Odell. “I even heard seniors remark how nice it was to see friends who they hadn’t seen since the Office of Senior Resources programs were paused early last year.”

Although the county health department has set up facilities to distribute the vaccine, demand still far outstrips supply. More than 7 million New Yorkers are eligible to be vaccinated but the state only received 300,000 doses a week from the federal government. As of Friday, the county health department had no vaccine and no indication when it will receive a new allocation from the state.

The state has a wide network of vaccine dispensers. Hospitals have been charged with vaccinating doctors, nurses and medical workers. Local health departments are charged with vaccinating essential workers identified as part of Phase 1B – first responders, educators and more. Local pharmacies are charged with vaccinating those aged 65 plus, but since there were problems with some pharmacies in Putnam County, the state asked the county’s health department to vaccinate the seniors.

“We need to ask for your continued patience,” Odell said. “This is hard on everyone, but I know it is especially hard on our seniors, who are the most vulnerable to the virus and, often, the most isolated. We are working as best we can to get you vaccinated, and as soon as we get more supply, we will. The best we can do now, is keep you informed. ”

Here is the latest advisory from our health department:

PUTNAM COUNTY COVID VACCINATION INFO UPDATED: January 15, 2021

VACCINE APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY:
Putnam County does not have vaccine availability at this time.

ELIGIBLE GROUPS: 1a and 1b. More info here: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/phased-distribution-vaccine

NYS vaccination sites may have changing availability. To check for appointments at a NYS vaccination site, please click here. Or visit https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/.

When a Putnam County DOH Point of Distribution clinic (POD) is scheduled, the link will be sent directly to specific organizations the state requires us to vaccinate, or shared on the Putnam County Department of Health website at www.putnamcountyny.com/health as appropriate.

Also see PutnamHealthNY Facebook and Twitter accounts @PutnamHealthNY)

 The health department is made aware of our vaccine allotment and assignments from NYS on a weekly basis. As such, Putnam will be scheduling Point of Distribution clinics less than 1 week in advance for the first dose. 

The best place to stay up to date with vaccine announcements is our website at www.putnamcountyny.com/health or www.putnamcountyny.com

We are eager to vaccinate our community and thank you for your patience as the rollout continues.

COVID Vaccine Update – January 15, 2021

/in , , , , /by

DATE: January 15, 2021

ELIGIBLE GROUPS: 1a and 1b ​. More info here: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/phased-distribution-vaccine

VACCINE APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY:
Putnam County does not have vaccine availability at this time.
NYS vaccination sites may have changing availability. To check for appointments at a NYS vaccination site, please click here or visit https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/
When a Putnam County DOH Point of Distribution clinic (POD) is scheduled, the link will be sent directly to specific organizations or shared at www.putnamcountyny.com/health and social media as appropriate.

The health department is made aware of our vaccine allotment and assignments from NYS on a weekly basis. As such, Putnam will be scheduling Point of Distribution clinics less than 1 week in advance for the first dose.

The best place to stay up to date with vaccine announcements is our website at www.putnamcountyny.com/health.
We are eager to vaccinate our community and thank you for your patience as the rollout continues.

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell announced that the Putnam County Department of Health will open a second COVID-19 vaccination site on Thursday, Jan. 14, this one in Philipstown.

/in , , , , , , , /by

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell announced that the Putnam County Department of Health will open a second COVID-19 vaccination site on Thursday, Jan. 14, this one in Philipstown.

The site, at Philipstown Recreation Center, will enable the county to vaccinate as many eligible people as supplies allow. The county’s first point of dispensing, or POD, opened last week at the Carmel Friendship Center and vaccinated 611 people over two days.

“We want to ensure that everyone in our county has good access to a POD,” County Executive Odell said. “The supply of vaccine is limited now, but as our allocation from the state increases, we will quickly ramp up and serve many more people on both sides of the county.”

Only those who already have appointments Thursday will be vaccinated. Those without appointments will be turned away.

The county health department is just one of the agencies in Putnam getting vaccine shipments from the state. Pharmacies, urgent cares, health centers and hospitals will also administer vaccines, but County Executive Odell has asked the state to put the county government in charge of the distribution in Putnam.

“If the state put the county government in charge of the local vaccine distribution, we could meet the needs of all our residents with far less confusion,” she said. “We are the level of government that is closest to our population. We know our residents. Our Office for Senior Resources knows who the homebound seniors are, our health department knows how to run a vaccine clinic for our residents because they routinely do so for the Flu vaccine. We have the staff and the volunteers necessary to run big PODs. It just makes so much sense, and we are eager to make this COVID-19 vaccination experience less stressful for our residents.”

Because there is a limited supply of vaccine, the state has set rigid guidelines as to who is eligible.

For Thursday’s health department POD, the department received 100 vaccines that the state designated for seniors aged 75 or older. It also received 200 vaccines designated for essential workers and divided those appointments among the police, fire companies and school districts.

“This has been a nerve-wracking year and we are all eager to get vaccinated, or to make appointments for our elderly loved ones,” said Legislator Amy Sayegh. “We just have to be patient a little longer. We are lucky the vaccination program has started and are confident the volume will increase soon. There is a light at the end of this tunnel.”

Healthcare workers, first responders, educators, transit workers and other essential workers are now eligible for vaccination. On Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo followed Centers for Disease Control guidance and extended the pool of eligible New Yorkers to those aged 65 and older as well as immunocompromised adults. Millions of New Yorkers are now eligible for vaccination, but the state only gets 300,000 vaccines a week from the federal government.
To sign up, fill out this form:
https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/
Those eligible can also call the State COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline for an appointment: 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).

For more information about eligibility, phased distribution and more, visit https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/what-you-need-know.

Joint initiative recognizes efforts made by county businesses

/in , , , , /by

CARMEL, NY— From the very beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, countless businesses in Putnam County have worked tirelessly to comply with or exceed New York State Covid-19 guidelines. To recognize the efforts of these businesses, “Working to Stop the Spread” certificates are now available through Putnam County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and Putnam County Tourism.

“Many of our businesses seem to have really nailed it in regard to keeping their customers and employees protected from the virus. The certificates that we offer simply express our recognition of a job well done” says Kathleen Abels, president of Putnam County’s EDC. “These signs are an opportunity for businesses to reassure customers and clients of their commitment to provide a safe place to do business.”

The signs can be downloaded by business owners who follow the NY Forward guidelines and have worked to stop the spread of Covid-19 by enforcing safety measures to keep their communities safe.

“It is important that we recognize these businesses for their hard work, but it is also important for those going into a business to feel safe doing so,” says Tracey Walsh, director of Putnam County Tourism, who is partnering with Ms. Abels on this initiative. “Seeing a displayed certificate is a pledge to customers that they are doing business with someone who cares about their safety.”

“I applaud our local businesses, which throughout the pandemic have had to continuously adapt to changing rules and circumstances,” says Ms. Abels. “From creating business reopening safety plans to implementing best practices, these entrepreneurs have had to navigate through the labyrinth of NY Forward guidelines during a year like no other.”

To download a sign, go to the EDC website at putnamedc.org or to the Tourism website at visitputnam.org or email the EDC at Kathleen.Abels@putnamcountyny.gov.

Breakdown of positive cases by towns in Putnam County 1/11/2021

/in , , , , , , /by

Cases: See Community Impact Dashboard attached. Case numbers may be updated based on address verification process.  

Schools: Most Putnam County schools are resuming in-person learning this week. Some of them will be proactively testing a portion of their population, while others plan to hold off until the State requires testing.

Vaccine: Many county and town agencies and representatives have been overhwelmed with calls/emails/posts/dms regarding the vaccine availability in Putnam County. We are so pleased that many people are eager to get vaccinated! We are asking for patience as we await NYSDOH guidance on phase 1b roll-out. We anticipate more PCDOH-run vaccine PODs and will share this information as soon as it is available. Please feel free to share the following information (verbally or on social media) or use it as a guide for those fielding calls from residents. NYS planned to release a vaccination hotline today: 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829). Residents can check their eligibility here: https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ — however we have been informed that not all information on the site is up-to-date.

Early Warning Monitoring:  Mid-Hudson Region (updated 1/10/21 with data as of 1/9/2021) Overall hospital bed availability is declining. Test positivity rate for the region remains below 8%. 

 Putnam County (Updated 1/10/2021 with data as of 1/9/2021)

 

Vaccine Putnam County – The Putnam County Department of Health is preparing to expand COVID-19 vaccination distribution

/in , , , , , , , /by

The Putnam County Department of Health is preparing to expand COVID-19 vaccination distribution to those aged 75 and older, first responders, teachers and other essential workers who live and/or work in the county, as the state institutes Phase 1B of its vaccination program, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell said.

“This is a good step forward,”  said Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell.  “The rollout will still be slow because the supply is so very limited. We are hopeful that vaccine production will ramp up and that the supply will increase to meet the demand.”

Vaccinations are by appointment only.

To sign up, start by seeing if you are eligible:

https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/

If you are, you will be given a list of local places where you can get a vaccination.

Those eligible can also call the State COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline for an appointment: 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).

 

Prior to receiving the vaccination, you must complete the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Form. This form can be completed online at https://forms.ny.gov/s3/vaccine you will receive a submission ID.

Do not show up to a vaccination site without an appointment. You will not be given a vaccine.

For information about eligibility, phased distribution and more, visit https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/what-you-need-know.

 

On Monday, Jan. 11, the Putnam County Department of Health ran its second Phase 1A vaccination point of dispensing, or POD, at Carmel Friendship Center on Old Route 6 for healthcare workers and those who live or work in nursing homes or group homes only. The health department has administered 600 doses of the Moderna vaccine, all it has received so far. The department expects another 300 doses this week.

Other agencies, including hospitals, urgent cares, health centers and pharmacies, will also be vaccinating people. Because of the limited supplies, it is expected to take until mid-April to vaccinate all the New York State residents in the approved 1A and 1B groups.

Those now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination include:

  • Teachers and education workers
  • First responders
  • Public safety workers
  • Public transit workers
  • People 75 and older
  • 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
  • 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

Health Department Plans Closed COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

/in , , , , , /by

Caption: Rebeca Garcia, RN, public health nurse at the Putnam County Department of Health, administers a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to Jennifer Mottarella, LPN, the school nurse at St. James school in the Carmel Central School District.

  • 600 vaccines released to PCDOH from NYS on January 5
  • 251 administered on Jan 7 at first closed POD
  • First dose—January 7; second dose—February 4
  • Groups scheduled for next week’s closed POD clinic on Monday, January 11, are the same as 1/7— those living or working in facilities run by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Office of Mental Health, and Office of Addiction Services and Support.

The Putnam County Department of Health has a closed COVID-19 vaccination clinic or POD scheduled for Monday, January 11. Similar to the first Putnam COVID clinic on January 7, the POD or point of distribution clinic, is targeted to higher risk populations and not open to the public but by appointment only to those living or working in facilities run by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Office of Mental Health, and Office of Addiction Services and Support and certain other individuals and/or groups eligible in phase 1a of New York’s vaccination priority groups.

Putnam County Health Commissioner Michael J. Nesheiwat, M.D. administers a COVID-19 Vaccine to Kathleen L. Percacciolo BSN, RN Supervising Public Health Nurse

/in , , , , , , , , /by

The Putnam County Department of Health vaccinated 251 people against COVID-19 Thursday during its first vaccination drive of the pandemic, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell announced.

The vaccine clinic, or POD as it’s known, was not open to the public, but only by appointment to those living or working in facilities run by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Office of Mental Health, and Office of Addiction Services and Support.

“This was our first time out of the gate and it went very well,” County Executive Odell said. “The health department started small in order to work out the details involved in inoculating large numbers of people in the midst of a pandemic.”

Between noon and 3 p.m., groups of those pre-approved for vaccination lined up at a safe social distance outside the Carmel Friendship Center on Old Route 6 in Carmel waiting for their turn to get jabbed. After they received their shots, they were watched closely while they waited in their cars for 15 minutes to make sure they did not have a reaction to the vaccine. The health department ran the POD with support from local law enforcement, EMS and plenty of volunteers.

Because of the limited vaccine supply, the state has given first priority to a broad group of healthcare workers and those in living in nursing homes or other congregate care.  Only those groups with state approval can be vaccinated at this time,  no matter where they get the vaccine, the local health department, or other venues that have also been given limited supply – pharmacies, urgent cares, health centers and hospitals.

“The vaccinations are the easy part,” Kathy Percacciolo, PCDOH Supervising Public Health Nurse said. “Sometimes the logistics can interfere with implementation— as we have seen happen in other places. Fortunately, in Putnam County we are experienced in running PODs and today’s POD went off without a hitch.”

The county health department received 600 Moderna vaccines from the state on Tuesday. It will hold a second POD on Monday for the same population group at the Carmel Friendship Center on Old Route 6 in Carmel.

Those approved for vaccination during New York State, Phase 1A include:

  • 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

 

—

PHOTO CAPTION:

Michael Nesheiwat, MD, Putnam County Commissioner of Health administers a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination to Kathy Percacciolo, PCDOH Supervising Public Health Nurse at the Carmel Friendship Center on Thursday Jan. 7

Putnam County received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines

/in , , , , , , , /by

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell announced that the Putnam County Department of Health received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines and will begin vaccinating workers and residents of certain congregate living facilities this week.

“This is what we have all been waiting for,” County Executive Odell said. “At last, the vaccine is in the hands of our county health department and will be going into the arms of our healthcare providers and most vulnerable citizens. Our health department is trained for this, they are the experts in public vaccination programs and they are ready to go. The Department of Health runs vaccination programs every flu season and also when facing health crises like the H1N1 virus.”

The department received 600 doses of the Moderna vaccine on Tuesday and on Thursday will vaccinate staff and residents of facilities run by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Office of Mental Health, and Office of Addiction Services and Support, agencies that were given priority by the state. The Moderna vaccine requires a second dose 28 days after the first.

Putnam County will conduct the closed COVID-19 vaccination Point-of-Dispensing (POD) for eligible county residents. Those who live or work in the facilities have been notified that they can sign up to receive the vaccine. PODs are a collaborative effort with the Department of Health at the helm and support from local law enforcement, EMS, and volunteers.

“When local health departments step up and run PODs, we are showing the community that we believe in this vaccine and truly see this as our way forward,” Michael Nesheiwat, MD Commissioner of Health said. “As the vaccine becomes more widely available, we strongly urge everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated.”

Putnam County Department of Health staff worked throughout the holiday week to put together a vaccination distribution plan that was requested on Christmas Eve by the Hudson Valley region’s vaccination hub at Westchester Medical Center. Putnam’s was among the first county distribution plans approved.

On Wednesday, County Executive Odell activated the Bureau of Emergency Services Incident Command Structure to oversee an orderly rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program.

“We recognize there is both a desire for vaccines as well as a certain amount of vaccine hesitancy,” said Kathy Percacciolo, PCDOH Supervising Public Health Nurse. “Residents should be assured, the COVID-19 vaccines we have are safe and effective.”

The COVID-19 vaccine is in short supply — the state has received just 300,000 a week — and so the New York State Department of Health established a strict distribution schedule. The first phase, called Phase 1A, prioritizes healthcare workers and staff and residents of nursing homes and other congregate care facilities. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Phase 1A includes 2.1 million healthcare workers. Putnam County has asked the state to include police and fire departments in Phase 1A.

County executives from the New York State Association of Counties have asked Gov. Andrew Cuomo for more independence in managing the vaccination process.

Local health departments are just one of the agencies that will distribute COVID-19. Hospitals, federally qualified health centers, urgent care centers and pharmacies have also been assigned various Phase 1A groups to vaccinate.

In New York State, Phase 1A includes:

  • 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

As of Jan. 4, the following people qualify for vaccination:

  • 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

 

The state has not released detailed plans for the next phase, Phase 1B, but Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said it will cover 2.5 million people and include essential workers and those 75-years-old or older.

Dr. Nesheiwat said the Putnam County health department is prepared to vaccinate more residents and employees of Putnam County as the vaccine roll-out progresses.

The Centers for Disease Control and the state Department of Health advise those who have had COVID-19 to wait 90 days before getting vaccinated. Recipients of convalescent plasma must also wait 90 days. Individuals on quarantine cannot attend a vaccination POD.