More Vaccines and Aid Coming to New York Localities

New York State is getting some encouraging news in two areas as it continues to battle COVID-19.

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand say $466,800,000 in funding is poised to come to New York to pay for vaccine distribution and administration.  The aid could be used for purchasing masks, gowns and gloves for staff administering vaccines and even transportation for getting shots to clinics.

Governor Andrew Cuomo also says the new administration in Washington has told states to expect a 16 percent increase in vaccine allocations for the next three weeks as the state and its counties, including Broome, have been frustrated in trying to schedule appointments for the thousands of eligible residents who want to get a shot.

Cuomo says local governments are being told, while they have assurances of a 16 percent increase in doses, only schedule appointments for those promised doses and not above that.  The Democrat says, aside from planning for the amount of vaccine New York has been getting over the past few weeks, plus the new 16 percent increase, the State is also working into its allocation plans for local governments considerations about social equity in getting shots to underserved populations.

Over the past few weeks, Broome has been requesting 1,000-2,000+ doses but has been getting 400.  County officials this week asked for 2,500 doses and the director of the county health department, Rebecca Kauffman, says Broome is ready to do a five days of inoculation clinics instead of just one day a week at the SUNY Broome Community College Ice Center.

Broome County starts to administer the second doses to groups 1A and 1B next week.