COVID-19 vaccination is progressing. With three vaccines now available, more doses being manufactured, and more and more individuals becoming vaccine-eligible, New York State has vaccinated nearly a quarter of its population, according to the NYS COVID-19 “vaccine tracker’ dashboard which is updated daily, based on data collected in the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS).
In Putnam County, the health department has held 23 vaccination clinics and NYSIIS numbers show 26.4 percent of residents have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. Last week New Yorkers 60 years of age and older joined the vaccine eligibility list, and on March 17, the list expands to include those non-profit workers, public employees, and essential in-person building service workers who provide public-facing services.
Speeding the vaccination process further is an increasing flexibility in what populations each provider may vaccinate, with a move toward allowing all providers to be able to vaccinate any eligible New Yorker. One exception remaining is that pharmacies will focus on those over the age of 60 and teachers.
What does this all mean and when will life return to what was once normal? Many people are asking these questions; unfortunately, the answer is “not quite yet,” according to both federal and local health officials. The good news is that Putnam County has the capacity to vaccinate more residents than its weekly allotment thus far.
“What we have achieved so far would have been unthinkable a year ago,” said County Executive MaryEllen Odell, who recently received her vaccination and urges others to say “yes” when it is their turn. The County Executive has been vocal about her push at the state level for more vaccines and more leeway in determining essential workers.
“For months, our men and women in the highway department, the department of motor vehicles and other public arenas have been asked to stand-by and wait their turn,” County Executive MaryEllen Odell continued. “Our public facing workers deserve to be prioritized and we are thankful the state has finally permitted our local health department to vaccinate them. Putnam County is ready to do what it takes to put this pandemic behind us.”
Last week the Governor announced new plans starting April 1 that would eliminate all quarantine requirements for domestic travelers to New York, lifting the executive order he directed nine months ago.
“In order for this plan to work,” Dr. Nesheiwat continued, “it is crucial for these travelers to continue to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days and to self-isolate if symptoms occur.” Other requirements that remain include visitors or returning New Yorkers completing a traveler form. The governor has stated that failure to do this can result in a fine. No written guidance from the New York State Department of Health has been issued on this announced update.
Health Commissioner Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD, reminded people that wearing a mask in public whether one is fully vaccinated or not, remains important, even as the CDC last week relaxed rules for those fully vaccinated socializing indoors with others also fully vaccinated.
“Fully vaccinated means two weeks has passed since your single-dose shot or since your last dose of a two-dose series,” explained Dr. Nesheiwat. “This is because it can take about two weeks for COVID fighting antibodies to offer maximum protection.”
Mask use and basic safety precautions must remain in effect because current data is limited on how effective the vaccines are at reducing transmission, how long protection lasts and what protection the current vaccines have against the variants that are emerging. Vaccine studies were focused on safety and efficacy, rather than reducing transmission. Subsequent studies are only now beginning to shed light on the potential for reduced transmission.
“One thing we are quite certain of,” Dr. Nesheiwat added, “is how highly effective the current vaccines are at preventing severe COVID which helps tremendously with hospitalization rates and fatalities. We just can’t let up quite yet.”
The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community, composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit our County website at www.putnamcountyny.com, or visit our social media sites on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PutnamHealthNY.