East End officials push back against ‘nonexistent’ vaccine rollout (Credit: Steve Wick)
A coalition of East End officials have joined together to call for an equitable share of COVID-19 vaccines for residents.
In a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Thursday, more than a dozen lawmakers, including all five East End supervisors, several village mayors and state representatives voiced concerns about vaccine accessibility on the twin forks and Shelter Island.
“We recognize the difficulties inherent in implementing such a massive endeavor,” the lawmakers wrote, adding that distribution of the vaccine on the East End is “virtually nonexistent.”
(Credit: Steve Wick)
Shelter Island’s Emergency Medical Services personnel began receiving COVID-19 vaccinations Wednesday at Northwell Health in Riverhead, Police Chief Jim Read announced at Wednesday afternoon’s final Town Board meeting of the year. It’s not yet clear whether the vaccine will be administered on the Island.
All health care workers are in the first tier of those eligible for the vaccines in line with protocols set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There are communities around the country breaking the CDC regulations in order to provide first doses to elderly patients with compromised immunity because of other health conditions, according to a report carried by at least two news networks. But Shelter Islanders, following Stony Brook Southampton Hospital regulations, are sticking to the CDC protocols.
(Credit: Steve Wick)
Hope for a healthier, safer future arrived in a single box aboard a UPS truck that backed up to the loading ramp at Peconic Bay Medical Center about 9:40 the morning of Dec. 15.
Inside that box were thumb-sized vials of the COVID-19 vaccine. They were rushed inside, refrigerated and, shortly after 1 p.m., one vial was brought into a first-floor room where PBMC hospital staff were poised to witness an historic moment.
And everyone knew it. They broke out in applause. It was applause from a group of medical professionals who, since last March, have been dealing with the ravages of the coronavirus.
The first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine arrived to the East End this week.
Here, we break down some frequently asked questions about the vaccine and what people can expect next.
Q: How much does the vaccine cost?
A: There will be no cost to receive the vaccine, although vaccination providers may be able to charge administration fees. Vaccination providers can have the fee reimbursed by the patient’s public or private insurance company or through a relief fund for the uninsured.
Q: Is the vaccine safe?
A: Yes, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The first COVID-19 vaccine was granted approval by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization. The vaccine was developed by Pfizer-BioNTech. Other companies are also developing vaccines that will require approval, including a vaccine by Moderna that is close to approval. “Efforts to speed vaccine development have not sacrificed scientific standards or the integrity of our vaccine evaluation process,” Peter Marks, M.
The first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was administered in New York State in December 2020. (Credit: Scott Heins/Office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo)
Hope for a healthier, safer future arrived in a single box aboard a UPS truck that backed up to the loading ramp at Peconic Bay Medical Center about 9:40 Tuesday morning.
Inside that box were thumb-sized vials of the COVID-19 vaccine. They were rushed inside, refrigerated and, shortly after 1 p.m., one vial was brought into a first-floor room where PBMC hospital staffs were poised to witness a historic moment.
And everyone knew it. They broke out in applause. It was applause from a group of medical professionals who, since last March, have been dealing with the ravages of the coronavirus.