LOCKPORT – This week, the Niagara County Well being Division secured 400 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for eligible county residents. In line with Public Well being Director Daniel Stapleton, the county might use “10 occasions simpler.”
“Now we have the workers, the volunteers, the amenities,” Stapleton stated. “I simply must get vaccinated, that is actually the one factor stopping us.”
On Wednesday, Stapleton known as the Union-Solar & Journal from the Kenan Middle, the place a well being department-administered vaccination POD (Level of Dispensation) was established.
The POD is so much like a Covid check web site, however “on steroids,” he stated.
“I opened 400 areas (Tuesday) and so they have been most likely full in an hour,” Stapleton stated. “Now we have a number of individuals, over 65 years previous, who attended yesterday’s assembly at the moment.”
Stapleton famous that some state-run websites have canceled appointments as a result of climate. He stated his division did not need to do this and moved his POD indoors for the following 4 to 5 weeks.
“We do not lose something getting in, and it’s kind of safer for workers and folks passing by,” he stated.
Stapleton defined how the county has been in a position to dispense vaccines up to now. He identified that one of many methods to get an appointment, which he emphasised wouldn’t be the day it is scheduled, is to name 211.
“For instance somebody does not have a pc, does not have a cellular phone, does not know methods to use it, or has poor reception within the space, they’ll name 211,” he stated. “It is primarily for seniors to information them via the method, to allow them to enroll.”
The primary individuals in Niagara County to get vaccinated have been healthcare professionals in hospitals; the county had an inventory. The vaccine was then supplied to first responders, via the Niagara County Sheriff’s Workplace and Emergency Administration, which contacted EMS personnel, paramedics, ambulance drivers, and EMTs. So as to add to those avenues of communication, Stapleton stated it additionally makes use of press releases and posts updates on the well being division’s web site and Fb.
Seniors are additionally being directed to on-line hyperlinks to schedule pharmacy appointments, though Stapleton stated these amenities solely have 100 photographs per week.
The county on Wednesday reported the demise of 9 extra residents from COVID-19, in addition to 148 new diagnoses, for a complete of 1,146 energetic circumstances of the illness.
Whereas discussing the ins and outs of vaccination towards Covid, Stapleton urged county residents to get vaccinated towards the 2020-2021 flu in the event that they have not already carried out so.
“It’s broadly obtainable,” he stated. “Whilst you await the (Covid) vaccination, that is a great way to strengthen your immune system.”
