Putnam County began Phase 1A distribution of Covid Vaccine today

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