Weather impacts vaccine shipments

FINGER LAKES--While the state announced last week that 12.1 percent of New Yorkers have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, severe winter weather across much of the United States impacted vaccine deliveries and clinics.
"Due to the storms throughout the U.S. this past week, it has impacted vaccine shipments," said Yates County Public Health in a statement, Thursday, Feb. 18, referencing the week of Feb. 15 through the 19th. "YCPH, like many other health departments across NYS has not received any vaccine and it is not anticipated that we will [for last] week. As a result, there [were] no clinics scheduled... We will update you all again next week once we have more information on vaccine shipment."
On Tuesday, Feb. 23, Yates County announced they had received their weekly shipment and had slots for 100 people to be vaccinated at a clinic in Penn Yan on Wednesday, Feb. 24. The event was quickly booked.
Neighboring Schuyler County, who shares a Public Health Director with Yates, reported on Monday, Feb. 22 they received 170 doses of COVID-19 vaccine for the week. A clinic was set up also for Wednesday, which quickly filled. The department reported they also received a second shipment Tuesday afternoon with 200 doses.
The governor's office and New York State Department of Health have directed:
• Local health departments to prioritize vaccinating individuals with certain health conditions and essential workers (fire, police, public safety, teachers, public-facing grocery store workers, public-facing restaurant workers, childcare providers, etc.) who are currently eligible to get the vaccine.
• Pharmacies to prioritize vaccinating those who are 65 years of age or older. This will likely expand to doctor's offices as vaccine supply increases.
• Hospitals to prioritize vaccinating healthcare workers.
Registration and proof of eligibility are required to receive a vaccine. Individuals who do not have an appointment or do not provide proof of eligibility, will not get vaccinated.
"[The] expansion to those with comorbidities has added thousands more residents to the eligibility list and will take many months to vaccinate them all with supply still being limited at this time," said Yates County Public Health.