Putnam County Department of Health will begin administering second doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

The Putnam County Department of Health will begin administering second doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Thursday, Feb 4, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell said.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine requires two doses 28 days apart. Only those who were given the first dose of the vaccine by the Putnam County health department are eligible for a second dose from the department.

“The supply is still limited, but the good news is that the federal government said it will increase New York State’s vaccine supply by 20 percent for the next three weeks,” County Executive Odell said. “We expect that will soon translate into more vaccine for Putnam County residents.” 

 The health department has received a shipment of 900 doses for second-dose use. It will run one vaccine POD, as the clinics are known, in Carmel on Thursday, Feb. 4 and has plans for two more PODs next week, one in Carmel on Monday, Feb. 8 and the other in Philipstown on Thursday, Feb. 11.  

More PODs, for first and second doses, will also be scheduled.

The state has very strict requirements on the distribution of the second doses. The health department is not allowed to use any of the second-dose shipment for first doses of the vaccine.

“Individuals who received first doses at a health department run POD must return for their second dose appointments as scheduled,” said Kathy Percacciolo, the supervising public health nurse. “Appointments may not be transferred to friends or family members. We must follow the state guidance or risk receiving future vaccine shipments.”

The state has assigned different providers specific groups to vaccinate out of those eligible under Phase 1A and 1B. Pharmacies have been assigned the task of vaccinating senior citizens. The Putnam County Department of Health, like local health departments statewide, is required by the state to vaccinate only essential workers. 

On Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo granted localities the option of adding restaurant workers, taxi and drivers, and developmentally disabled facilities to the 1B group.

As more vaccine is released by the state and delivered to the county health department, the department will begin to offer vaccination appointments to the expanded priority groups. 

“We would like our health department to be able to vaccinate senior citizens,” Odell said. “We get emails every day from seniors who don’t understand the complicated system the state has set up. They beg us to help them get vaccinated, but our hands are tied. It’s heartbreaking. The counties need more flexibility in order to serve our residents.”

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Submitted by Brewster, NY

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