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The original item was published from 3/2/2021 1:57:00 PM to 3/3/2021 11:52:26 AM.

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Public Health

Posted on: January 11, 2021

[ARCHIVED] COVID-19 Vaccine Information

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COVID-19 Vaccine Information as of 03/02/21

Please be patient as vaccine supply is currently limited. We know that everyone is anxious to get vaccinated as soon as possible, but vaccine supply is currently very limited everywhere. We all look forward to vaccine supply increasing in the next few months so we can all get vaccinated to protect ourselves, our families, and our community from this virus and help things return to normal.

Please note: some locations may not have received their first shipment of vaccine yet or they may have already used all the doses they received. Vaccination locations will add available appointments as they receive more vaccine. Individuals should only register if they meet the current eligibility criteria. Find out if you are eligible by visiting https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/phased-distribution-vaccine. 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.

COVID-19 Vaccine Providers and Clinics

Local Health Department Clinics

We are planning to hold clinics every week, but it is contingent on how many doses of vaccine we receive from New York State. The amount we receive from the State is determined based on how much vaccine the State receives from the federal government. Please stay tuned to our website and social media for updates and information about when registration for clinics opens.

Remember to bring the following items with you to your appointment:

Please wear a short-sleeve shirt if possible, or something with easy access to the upper arm. You should also bring the following items with you:

  • Wear a mask.
  • Bring your health insurance card, if available. Please note, the vaccine is provided at no cost to you.
  • Bring an ID such as your driver's license.
  • Bring proof of eligibility.
    1. If you are eligible based on employment, proof could include:
      • An employee ID card, a letter from an employer or affiliated organization, or a pay stub, depending on the specific priority status.
      • Proof of employment in New York State is required.
    2. If you are eligible due to having a qualifying health condition:
    3. If you are eligible due to age, proof could include:
      • A form of ID (like a Driver's License or passport) that includes your date of birth.
      • Proof of residence in New York State is required.


Pharmacies are only allowed to vaccinate people 65 years and older currently.

Please check their websites for information about vaccine availability and when and how to make an appointment.

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.

All eligible individuals can register to attend a NYS-run vaccination clinic. 

Visit https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ or call the NYS Vaccination Hotline 1-833-697-4829 to register.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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?

We open registration for clinics each time we receive a shipment of vaccine doses. We will announce registration through our website and social media. Please note: we are only able to open appointments and hold clinics for vaccine doses we have received.

How can people without internet access get registered for a clinic?

  • If you are currently eligible to get vaccinated and do not have internet access, please try checking with family or friends for assistance.
  • If you are currently eligible to get the vaccine, are a Schuyler County resident, are over the age of 60, AND do not have internet access, you can call Office for the Aging at 607-535-7108 for assistance in getting added to a pharmacy wait list. Once on the wait list, the pharmacy will call you when your name comes up in order on the list and will schedule you for the vaccine.
  • You could also call the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829) to make an appointment to attend a State-run vaccine site.

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

Please wear a short-sleeve shirt if possible, or something with easy access to the upper arm. You should also bring the following items to your appointment:

  • Wear a mask.
  • Bring your health insurance card, if available. Please note, the vaccine is provided at no cost to you.
  • Bring an ID such as your driver's license.
  • Bring proof of eligibility to your appointment.
    1. If you are eligible based on employment, proof could include:
      • An employee ID card, a letter from an employer or affiliated organization, or a pay stub, depending on the specific priority status.
      • Proof of employment in New York State is required.
    2. If you are eligible due to age, proof could include:
      • A form of ID (like a Driver's License or passport) that includes your date of birth.
      • Proof of residence in New York State is required.
    3. If you are eligible due to having a qualifying health condition:

Please note: you will need to wait for 15 minutes before leaving the vaccination site after you get your vaccine.

Do I have to pay to get the vaccine?

No – there is no cost or co-pay for the vaccine.

How can I find out if I am eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine in NYS?

New York State is determining when different groups of people can be vaccinated based on things like age, occupation, and underlying medical conditions. To find out who is currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 Vaccine, please visit https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/phased-distribution-vaccine. Individuals who are currently on isolation or quarantine are not eligible to be vaccinated. Please note: NYS may update the phases and who is included in each at any time. Stay tuned to the NYS website, local news, and our website and social media for updates. You can also call the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).

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.

Who is organizing and staffing the Schuyler County Vaccination Clinics?

Schuyler County Public Health (SCPH) and Schuyler Hospital are partnering to organize and staff COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the community as vaccine doses are received from New York State.

Does Schuyler County Public Health have a wait list for their COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics?

No – registration for appointments is on a first come, first served basis. Please stay tuned to our website and social media for updates on when vaccine shipments are received and registration for clinics opens. We do, however have a standby list. The standby list is not a wait list and does not guarantee you an appointment. If someone does not show up for their appointment, or they were not eligible to receive the vaccine, we will call an individual from the standby list to fill their appointment. Individuals on the standby list must be eligible and are expected to be able to arrive to the clinic site in a timely manner to fill the appointment. People on the standby list should still try to find an appointment elsewhere. If someone on the standby list is able to get their vaccine elsewhere, they should call our office to have their name removed from the standby list. To request being added to the standby list, please fill out the form by clicking here.

Why should I get vaccinated?

Getting the vaccine will help keep you, your family, and our community safe and help us all return to normal sooner.

How soon after getting vaccinated am I protected from COVID-19?

The COVID-19 vaccines, like all vaccines, do not instantly provide protection. It takes time for your immune system to respond to the vaccine and develop disease-fighting antibodies.

Will getting vaccinated help keep me from getting sick with COVID-19?

Yes - the currently available vaccines have been shown to be very effective at preventing sickness with COVID-19:

Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe?

The Public Health and Medical communities are confident that these vaccines are safe and effective. While the process to develop these vaccines may seem fast, they were built on years of thorough research and work addressing other types of coronaviruses. All the typical steps and safety measures were followed during its development and every study, every phase, and every trial was reviewed by the FDA and safety boards of medical experts. The speed of development was due to the sharing of research and massive collaboration on a scale never attempted before.

After I get my COVID-19 vaccine, do I still need to wear a mask and social distance?

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 and social distancing. How many people end up getting vaccinated will also impact when and how the recommendations are changed.

What should I expect after I get vaccinated?

Like with 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.

Where can I learn more about COVID-19 Vaccination?

You can visit the following websites for more information:

Click here for printable FAQs
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