February 19, 2021
County Executive Marc Molinaro continues to advocate for greater vaccine availability and today sent a formal letter (below) to Governor Andrew Cuomo requesting New York State join Dutchess County in operating a joint vaccination site at the County's current Point of Distribution (POD) at the former JCPenney store at the Poughkeepsie Galleria. Mass vaccination sites are instrumental to ensuring widespread and equitable distribution of the vaccine.
Dutchess County's JCPenney vaccination site is ideally situated as a mass vaccination site. With current vaccine allocation of less than 1,000 doses per week from New York State, the site is currently operating well below its capacity. State officials have toured the site and recognized the efficient and effective operation conducted by Department of Behavioral & Community Health staff and Medical Reserve Corp Volunteers.
Local residents should not have to travel more than hour or more to get one of the State-operated mass vaccination appointments. A New York State partnership with Dutchess County to designate the JCPenney site as a mass vaccination center with expanded vaccine allocation would ensure equitable vaccination for every eligible resident.
To learn more about COVID-19 vaccine distribution, visit DutchessNY.gov/COVIDvaccine
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