Even as the slow rollout and inconsistent and unpredictable availability of COVID-19 vaccines leaves us all frustrated, the mood in Schoharie was jubilant Friday as 200 “lottery” winners sat down for their shots.
Governor Andrew Cuomo is being very specific about who can get their vaccinations where, County Public Health Director Amy Gildemeister said.
A clinic in the basement of the County Office Building Thursday was for frontline workers like school staff; Friday, it was for those 65 and older.
Vaccines for the 65 and older population are supposed to be handled by pharmacies.
But because no local pharmacies are doing vaccines yet, Dr. Gildemeister said that round of 200 went to the Health Department.
Even for those who qualify for the vaccines, negotiating the signup has been almost impossible; slots are filled before they even go “live.”
But Friday, seniors who’d scored a shot slot were just grateful.
Amy Bothell of Middleburgh said she’s lost track of how long it’s been since she’s been able to see her kids or grandkids.
“It’s been months and months,” she said and she waited. “I’m just so, so glad to be here.”
Elliott VonCulin of Cobleskill said the same thing as he rolled up his sleeve; his wife had an appointment later Friday.
Erna Moore of Gilboa said she’s still waiting to get an appointment for her husband, Joe, but was excited to get hers.
“I’m old. But I want to be here for a while longer,” she said laughing.
Phyllis Bucalo traveled from Mahopac for her vaccine.
For all of the frustration involved in landing an appointment, the process itself was low-key.
Those with appointments signed in and then waited upstairs in the lobby of the County Office Building before being brought down in small groups.
Once downstairs, Health Department workers helped them through the sign-in process, making sure they were signed up for their second shot before administering the vaccine, keeping an eye on them for the required 15 minutes, and then sending them on their way.
The county has just added a registry for the vaccines to its website, www4.schohariecounty-ny.gov.
There, people can sign up to be notified when they become available; it’s not, however, an appointment website.