COVID-19 vaccine update as of 1/25/21: Vaccine Supply is very limited in NYS. We have no public clinics scheduled at this time. Local Health Departments have been directed by the Governor's office and NYSDOH to vaccinate the essential workers whom are eligible in 1B (fire, police, public safety, teachers, grocery store front facing employees, daycare providers, etc.) and those who are 65 years of age and older should be vaccinated through local pharmacies and in the near future by their doctor offices. We know that this becomes very concerning to our older residents as the quantity of vaccine coming to the local pharmacies is also very limited at this time. We all look forward to vaccine supply increasing in the next few months to be able to meet the demand so that we can get our communities protected from this virus.
To find out if you are eligible in 1A and 1B to receive the vaccine, go to the NYSDOH website.
NYS Vaccination Hotline # 1-833-697-4829 - You can call this hotline to see if you are eligible and to schedule a vaccination appointment at a NYS sponsored vaccination site.
Vaccine Clinics:
There are no clinics available at this time.
Individuals 65 years and older: NYSDOH has designated Health Care Systems/Health Care Provider offices and pharmacies to vaccinate those 65 years and older. Patients in this age category whose doctor office is affiliated with URMC or Rochester Regional Health will be receiving a phone call directly from their doctor office or Health Care System in the next few weeks and will receive an appointment date for vaccination.
Pharmacies are only able to vaccinate 65 years and older at this time. Check the following pharmacy websites for vaccination appointments.
Other websites to check for vaccination clinic information:
NYS Sponsored Vaccination Clinics information
Finger Lakes Health
Thompson Health
Schuyler Hospital
Yates County Vaccination Clinic FAQs
- Do I have to have an appointment to get vaccinated?
- Yes, registration is required to receive the vaccine. If someone shows up without an appointment, they will not be vaccinated.
- Why aren't there more appointment slots?
- The number of appointment slots is based on how many doses of vaccine we have received from New York State. While we are requesting additional vaccine every week, we do not know how many vaccine doses we will end up receiving as there is a limited supply and every county in the State is also requesting vaccine.
- How will I find out when registration for more clinics becomes available?
- Each time we receive a shipment of vaccine from the State, we will open registration for additional clinics. We will announce registration through our website and facebook page.
- How can people without the internet get registered for a clinic?
- People without internet access should reach out to our office by phone.
- We are hoping family members and friends help those without the internet as well.
- What do I need to bring to my appointment?
- Make sure you wear a short sleeve shirt that will allow vaccinators access to your upper arm
- Bring your photo ID
- Bring proof of eligibility to your appointment. This may include an employee ID card, a letter from an employer or affiliated organization, or a pay stub, depending on the specific priority status.
- If you are eligible due to age, you should bring a form of ID (drivers license or passport) that includes your date of birth
- What are some other ways I can get vaccinated?
- People 65 and older can get vaccinate by their healthcare provider or pharmacists. Currently, pharmacists and healthcare providers are only allowed to vaccinate people 65 and older.
- People over the age of 75 who receive care through the VA can get vaccinated there. Please wait for the VA to reach out to you to schedule an appointment.
- How will I know when vaccine eligibility is expanded?
- You can stay tuned to local news, NYS's website, or our website or Facebook page.
- Do I have to pay to get the vaccine?
- No, there is no cost or co-pay for the vaccine.
- Can I transfer my registration to someone else?
- No – appointments are not transferrable. If you cannot make your appointment time, you should cancel and re-register sometime in the future.
- How soon after getting vaccinated am I protected from COVID-19?
- The COVID-19 vaccine, like all vaccines, does not instantly provide protection. It takes time for your immune system to respond to the vaccine and develop disease-fighting antibodies. The two COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the US require two doses, about a month apart, for you to be protected from COVID-19.
- Can you tell more about the vaccines that are currently available in the US?
- Moderna
- Second dose is required 28 days after your first dose
- Found to be 94/1% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection starting 14 days after the second dose.
- Pfizer
- Second dose is required 21 days after your first dose
- Found to be 95% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection starting 7 days after the second dose.
- What should I expect after I get vaccinated?
- You will need to wait for 15 minutes after you get your vaccine.
- Like all vaccines and other medications, there is a chance you might experience some symptoms after you get it. There is a possibility that you might feel some fatigue or some pain or muscle soreness at the injection site - you could even have a fever. These are signs that the vaccine is working, and your immune system is responding to the vaccine and learning how to fight off the virus. Mild pain relievers should help you feel better. If you don't feel better within two or three days, you should follow up with your doctor
How will I get my second dose of vaccine?
- People will be expected to get their second dose of vaccine through the same vaccinator that provided their first dose. You will receive information on how to schedule your second dose at your appointment for your first dose.
- After I get my COVID-19 vaccine, do I still need to wear a mask, social distance, and wash my hands? If I'm exposed to someone with COVID-19, will I still need to quarantine?
- Yes – for now you will need to continue to wear a mask and social distance – even after you get your second dose. Medical experts are still looking at the data before deciding to change recommendations related to masks, social distancing, and quarantining if you are exposed.
- Medical researchers know that after two doses of the vaccine, the vaccinated person is protected from getting sick with COVID-19. They are still figuring out whether it stops someone from being able to spread it to others if they get COVID-19 and don’t have any symptoms. How many people end up getting vaccinated will also impact when and how the recommendations are changed.
- In terms of following good hand hygiene, it’s always important to wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, before and after eating, and at other key times. Good hand hygiene helps stop the spread of all sorts of illnesses.