Beginning Tomorrow: Vaccines for 50+
Beginning Tomorrow: Vaccines for 50+: Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that beginning tomorrow people ages 50 and up will be eligible for the vaccine. This as last week’s allocation approached 1.3 million doses. Cuomo also said that the expects the state’s VAX allocations to increase as vaccine production ramps up. AstraZeneca also released results on new clinical trials that found the vaccine to be 79% effective in preventing symptomatic illness and 100% effective against sever disease and hsopitalization. AstraZeneca plans to apply for emergency authorization of the vaccine from the FDA in early April.
The Governor also announced that New Y0rk adminstered over a million doses of the coronavirus vaccines last week and has now administered more than 7.5 million doses. New York also received close to 1.3 million doses last week – week 14.
To date over 5.1 million New Yorkers have received at least one dose of the vaccine. That’s approximately 26.4 % of New York’s population of 19.45 million people. Or just over 34% of the approximately 15 million New Yorkers over the age of sixteen who have been authorized by the FDA to receive the vaccine.
And 2.654 million New Yorkers have now had their complete vaccine series. That’s 13.6% of New York’s population of 19.45 million people. Or, 17.7% of the approximately 15 million New Yorkers over the age of sixteen who have been authorized by the FDA to receive the vaccine.
Pharmacies Authorizations to Expand: Cuomo announcedon Sunday that pharmacies are now authorized to administer coronavirus vaccines to populations with qualifying co-morbities over age 16. You can demonstrate your eligibility with a doctor’s note, signed certificate or medical information evidencing your condition. Qualifying Co-morbidities include cancer, obesity, hypertension and other heart conditions, pulmonary disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and an immunocompromised state because of HIV and other causes.
Doses Up But Transparency Down. Look at what Texas does: As Week 14’s allocation cycle completes today and week 15 begins tomorrow, the Westchester County government’s website, which releases allocation information down to the site level as soon as the state releases the information to them, has not released a new allocation list since week 12. We liked helping them disseminate this information to our readers as we did here. And the New York State website has never published weekly allocation information on its site. By comparison, the state of Texas posted their Week 15 allocations today and has done so each week since December 14.
New York/Westchester Positivity Rates Trend Lower: Meanwhile, New York’s statewide 7-day positivity test rate dropped to 2.83% last week after being stuck in the 3.1 to 3.2% range the three previous weeks. Westchester County’s positivity rate declined slightly to 3.7% form 3.82% last week and 4.23% two weeks ago. New York State’s positivity rate peaked at 49.9% on March 30 and was as low as .09% on September 18. It wasn’t until November 5th that it returned to as high as 2%. The US positive test rate peaked at 21.9% in the spring and bottomed at 4.1% in June and 4% in October.
Nationally, the 7-day rolling average positive test rate dropped to 4.0% from 4.6% last week and 6% the previous seek. It’s fall winter peak was 13.7% earlier in January, according to the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine’s Coronavirus Resource Center.
New York Forward COVID-Safe Offices partnership: The Governor also announced over the weekend a new initiative with twenty-one participating landlords who have committed to provide space and facilitate access to testing services for tenants interested in conducting regular diagnostic testing of their employees. The initiative is designed to provide workers with additional confidence in the safety of their workplaces as New York returns to work. The statewide program includes eight New York City landlords representing more than 100 million square feet of commercial office space. Including Brookfield Properties, L&L Holding Company, Related Companies, RXR Realty, Rudin Management Company, SL Green Realty Corp., Tishman Speyer, Vornado.
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The Latest Vaccine Tips
As we enter Week 15, weekly vaccine allocation information seems to have dried up from Westchester County which receives its information from the state. While everyone should check local pharmacies, we are dropping our link to the Westchester County Department of Health which published weekly allocation information down to the local pharmacy level through Week 12. We are now in week 15. Other than hunting and pecking, here’s the best way to search out VAX appointments.
New York State Vaccination Centers (all categories eligible)
The state-run site at the Westchester County Center, which is prioritizing all eligible populations under the expanded Phase 1a and 1b guidelines, which includes health care workers, essential workers and populations aged 60+, as well as qualifying immunocompromised* populations over age 16. Check for appointments at the New York State site, and check the New York State hotline for cancellations: 833-NYS-4-VAX.
Northern Westchester Hospital
Northern Westchester Hospital is prioritizing all populations outlined in the New York State expanded Phase 1a and 1b Guidelines, except immunocompromised individuals under age 60. Here’s the link you can use to check for appointment availability at Northern Westchester Hospital,
Westchester Residents Who Work in NYC
Finally, if you work in New York City and can prove it you can check the NYC Vaccine Finder to schedule an appointment, assuming you can find one.
- Qualifying Co-morbidities: cancer, obesity, hypertension and other heart conditions, pulmonary disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and an immunocompromised state because of HIV and other causes.
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