Dutchess County to Open COVID-19 Vaccination Sites

Dutchess County to Open
COVID-19 Vaccination Sites

Sites in Poughkeepsie, Dover Plains to provide vaccine to current eligible groups

Poughkeepsie, NY … Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro today announced the County’s Department of Behavioral & Community Health (DBCH) has established initial Point of Dispensing (POD) sites where the County will administer COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible residents as vaccine is available. These sites will be open next week by appointment only from 10am to 4pm for eligible individuals in Phase 1a and 1b as determined by New York State's Phased Distribution Plan. Appointment availability is based on vaccine allocation provided by New York State.

Initial DBCH Points of Dispensing (PODs) will be operated at the following locations:

Wednesday, January 13th
Dutchess County Behavioral & Community Health – Mental Health Campus
230 North Road, Poughkeepsie
North Road Appointment Registration Link:
https://apps.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/cdmspr/2/counties?DateID=4330

Friday, January 15th
Former JCPenney store location
Poughkeepsie Galleria
2001 South Road, Poughkeepsie
JCPenney Appointment Registration Link:
https://apps.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/cdmspr/2/counties?DateID=4333

Saturday, January 16th
Dover Middle/High School
2368 Route 22, Dover Plains
Dover Appointment Registration Link:
https://apps.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/cdmspr/2/counties?DateID=4334

Additionally, DBCH is partnering with Northern Dutchess Hospital for vaccinations to be available at the Health Annex at Northern Dutchess Hospital located at 107 Montgomery Street in Rhinebeck. Under New York State’s phased distribution process, individuals in Phase 1a are currently eligible for vaccinations. Phase 1a includes hospital staff, direct care providers and emergency responders.

Governor Cuomo announced late yesterday that individuals in Phase 1b are eligible for vaccination starting Monday, January 11th. Phase 1b includes:

· People 75 and older
· Teachers and education workers
· First responders
· Public safety workers
· Public transit workers

County Executive Molinaro said, “Though New York State’s distribution of COVID-19 vaccine has been slow and sorely lacking, Dutchess County has planned for weeks how to best dispense the doses we do receive efficiently and effectively. The opening of these initial Points of Dispensing sites is the next step in ensuring eligible residents have access to this life-saving vaccine.”

Dutchess County’s PODs are in addition to current locations, including local hospitals, that are dispensing vaccine to eligible priority groups, and the expanded location network being established by New York State. Residents can utilize the State’s online Am I Eligible? tool to determine if they are currently eligible for vaccinations and, if eligible, will see a list of the various locations in the State’s network.

Current vaccine supply is very limited and Governor Cuomo announced on Friday that distribution to Phase 1a and 1b is expected to take 14 weeks based on current projected vaccine availability. Eligible residents should anticipate it may be several weeks before they can get an appointment as demand far exceeds supply.

County Executive Molinaro said, “Dutchess County stands ready to quickly dispense each and every dose of vaccine we receive into the arms of eligible residents. We encourage residents who are currently eligible to get vaccinated, and we urge patience as this process will take time due to limited vaccine availability. We must continue to all work together to stop the spread of coronavirus – so keep wearing a mask, washing those hands and physical distancing, then get vaccinated as it becomes available to you.”

For more information, visit http://www.dutchessny.gov/covidvaccine.