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Get Our Senior New Yokers Vaccinated

February 16, 2021
HOMEBOUND

So many of our elders are homebound. NYC need to make sure they get the COVID-19 vaccine too.  

Mayor de Blasio today announced a three-pronged plan to vaccinate homebound seniors and the essential frontline home care workers who care for them. Beginning next week, the City will launch on-site senior vaccination clinics and, with the arrival of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in March, stand up a vaccination drive for homebound seniors. To minimize risk for homebound seniors throughout the month of February, the City will aim to vaccinate 25,000 home health aides over the next month, offering dedicated appointments in the areas where they live and work. 

"We are moving heaven and earth to get our senior neighbors vaccinated", said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "Now, we are bringing vaccines to seniors right in their communities, ensuring our vaccines go to those who need them most.”

To meet seniors where they are, the City will set up vaccine clinics at DFTA retirement communities and HPD Senior Buildings. Two on-site vaccination clinics will launch the week of February 15th, with additional locations to be identified and prioritized in the coming weeks.

The City will also ramp up vaccination for homecare aides, home health aides, and personal care aides. These aides will receive priority appointments at City vaccine sites, as well as increased access to five City workforce hubs. The City will also launch new sites dedicated to serving this population.

Given the instability of the mRNA vaccine, the City will begin using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine when it is available to provide in-home vaccination for homebound seniors. With the help of City agencies, such as FDNY, and our home health care partners, the City aims to provide in-home vaccinations for thousands of homebound seniors. 

"Vaccinating vulnerable seniors is a key component of our City's recovery effort and equity plans," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Melanie Harztog. "From opening dedicated vaccine sites for older adults to developing plans to deliver Johnson & Johnson vaccine directly to them at home, these creative strategies will help ensure we reach and protect NYC residents most at risk."

"I am grateful that New York City will be setting up a program in the next few weeks to vaccinate homebound seniors, responding to concerns I and others have raised about our most vulnerable neighbors. I continue to encourage the City to consider using trusted community hubs including senior centers, social adult day care facilities, and places of worship as additional vaccine distribution sites when supply comes online. Together, we will protect our elders and the people who care for them," said State Senator Robert Jackson.

Pharmacies  

Seniors in New York City can now make appointments to get their COVID-19 shot at local pharmacies. More than 250 stores across the city will be offering the vaccine to New Yorkers 65 and older as part of a federal program, officials said Thursday.

“Pharmacies are a trusted part of our infrastructure, particularly for seniors who rely on them for medications and other services,” City Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi said in a statement.

A first shipment of 26,500 doses began being delivered by the feds directly to the pharmacies on Monday, the health department said. Those include 188 Walgreens/Duane Reade sites, 75 Rite Aids and five Costco stores in the five boroughs.  Statewide, both CVS and Walgreens will be offering the vaccine through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. CVS said it was to receive 20,600 doses at approximately 30 stores in the state, though none in New York City. Walgreens said it was allocated 18,600 doses per week in New York City and 10,700 doses in the rest of the state.

Locations can be found online a vaccinefinder.nyc.gov. Appointments will be made available as the pharmacies receive the doses.

The additional shipment of shots from the feds boosted the city’s supply by 20 percent this week, from the 131,825 allocated to 158,325 first doses, the health department said. 

Hospitals

COVID-19 Vaccines at NYC Health + Hospitals

NYC H+H  also offers vaccinations to essential workers and New Yorkers 65 years of age and older and frontline essential workers: teachers and education workers, including childcare staff, first responders, public safety workers, and public transit workers – group 1B. Vaccines are available by appointment only.

For a complete list of documentation you can bring to your appointment as proof of eligibility, visit nyc.gov/covidvaccine.

Transportation 

 

Seniors age 65 or older who are unable to make their own arrangements and need transportation to and from a COVID-19 vaccination appointment can sign up for transportation through the City.

"We are moving heaven and earth to get our senior neighbors vaccinated", said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "Now, seniors who need a ride to an appointment will get one, ensuring our vaccines go to those who need them most.”

Older New Yorkers age 65 and over who make an appointment for vaccine at a City-operated site will be asked whether they have a way to get to and from their appointment. If they require transportation, they will be screened and directed to transportation options, including Access-a-Ride, ambulette services, cab service via Curb and in a few weeks, transportation by select Senior Center programs.  DFTA providers will be able to reach out and link seniors to transportation through phone outreach, ensuring that every senior knows the range of available options. In total, the City will offer approximately 10,000 rides per week.

To reach all New Yorkers age 65 and over, the City will broaden its outreach in partnership with nonprofit partners and trusted community leaders. With a comprehensive outreach campaign to be spearheaded by the Vaccine Planning Workgroup for Older New Yorkers, the City is partnering with local organizations to get the word out about safe and accessible vaccinations in New York City - knocking on doors, placing direct calls and robocalls, holding virtual townhalls, delivering flyers, and partnering with local health providers and more.

On-site vaccination clinics for seniors living in NYCHA developments are also up and running, providing on-site vaccinations for residents 65 and older. Clinics at Van Dyke I & II Houses in Brooklyn, Cassidy Lafayette Houses in Staten Island, and Polo Grounds Towers in Manhattan are currently open, with plans to move to different sites across the city in the coming weeks.

 

Eligibility:

The following groups are eligible to seek vaccination in accordance with the New York State (NYS) Department of Health prioritization plan:

  • Workers in ambulatory care settings not affiliated with a hospital, including primary care, behavioral health, phlebotomy, physical and occupational therapy, specialty clinics, and dialysis centers
    • Includes all workers with direct contact with patients in ambulatory settings, including licensed health care workers, receptionists, and environmental staff
  • Funeral workers with direct contact with infectious materials and bodily fluids
  • Healthcare workers at COVID-testing sites
  • Public health workers with direct patient care responsibilities
  • Home care workers and aides, hospice workers, personal care aides, and consumer-directed personal care workers
  • Teachers and education workers
  • First responders
  • Public safety workers
  • Public transit workers