Press Release, Orleans County Health Department

ALBION – The Orleans County Health Department has been awarded a grant to provide the Hepatitis A vaccine to food service workers at no cost to them or the employer.

In Western New York and across the United States, foodborne outbreaks of Hepatitis A have occurred as a result of infected food service workers. Brenden Bedard, Director of Community Health Services for Genesee and Orleans Counties, understands the severity of Hepatitis A and the effect it can have on a business and community.

“Hepatitis A is a serious issue because most food service workers will spread the infection before even knowing they have the disease,” Bedard said. “A food service worker can spread the virus to customers or other staff by contaminating surfaces, utensils and/or food, which can make unvaccinated individuals very sick. By offering the vaccine to food services workers, we can prevent unnecessary illness from spreading in the community.”

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection that is caused by the Hepatitis A Virus. It is typically spread through the feces of infected individuals. Someone can become infected by consuming food or drink that has been contaminated by feces as well as having close personal contact with a person who is infected, or use of injection and non-injection drugs.

The symptoms of Hepatitis A may include sudden onset of fever, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, stomach pain, dark-colored urine and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes). HAV usually does not have signs or symptoms until the second week of infection and is the most infectious during this time.

The good news is that Hepatitis A can be prevented through vaccination! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vaccine has a 94% – 100% efficacy rate. The Hepatitis A vaccine is a two-dose series that is administered 6 months apart. As the vaccine is not required to attend school or daycare, many people have not received it.

Any food service worker living or working in Orleans County can receive the vaccine. By receiving the vaccine, you are also protecting yourself from getting the virus if you come in contact with dishes and/or utensils that may have been contaminated by a customer or co- worker.

Restaurants who have participated in this opportunity will receive a certificate honoring their commitment to protecting the health and safety of their workers and customers.

Restaurants or food services workers who are interested in receiving the Hepatitis A vaccine should contact the Orleans County Health Department immediately as this opportunity is ending on April 1. The supply is on a first-come, first serve basis.

For more information, please call the Orleans County Health Department at 585-589-3278. The department is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information on the hepatitis A virus, click here.

Orleans and Genesee counties combined are reporting 18 new Covid-19 cases today, and are nearing 7,000 total for the pandemic. There are currently 6,952 cases in the two counties in the past year, according to the Genesee and Orleans County health Departments.

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the first confirmed case in Genesee and Thursday is the one-year anniversary of the first case in Orleans County.

Orleans County has 6 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 2,487 positive cases in the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby) and Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre). The individuals are in their 60s, 70s and 80s.

The Health Departments reported 1 of the new positives was quarantined prior to testing positive. There aren’t any new recoveries reported today.

There are currently 3 Orleans residents hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 12 new positive cases of Covid-19 reported today for a total of 4,465 positive cases.

The new positive cases reside in the Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

Genesee is reporting 15 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 3 Genesee residents hospitalized with Covid.

More from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• Quarantine for domestic travelers: Beginning April 1st, New York State will no longer require quarantine for domestic travelers. International travelers will still need to quarantine.

All travelers will still be required to complete the Traveler Health Form. For updated Traveler Guidance, click here. Regardless of quarantine status, all individuals exposed to COVID-19 or returning from travel must:

• Continue daily symptom monitoring through Day 14;
• Continue strict adherence to all recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions, including hand hygiene, and the use of face coverings, through Day 14 (even if fully vaccinated);
• Must immediately self-isolate if any symptoms develop and contact their healthcare provider or the local public health authority to report this change in clinical status and determine if they should seek testing.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

Dr. David Tinkelman

BROCKPORT – Dr. David Tinkelman, a board-certified pediatrician for 30 years, has chosen to join Oak Orchard Health at its Brockport location. He will begin seeing patients there on April 5.

“Oak Orchard Health was my first and only choice,” Dr. Tinkelman said. “I know I can continue to provide my patients the best of care there. And it’s a convenient location for everyone.”

Dr. Tinkelman joins Medical Director and pediatrician Danielle Renodin-Mead, DO, James Goetz, MD, MPH, Monica Henoch, MD, Kelsey Izzo, MD, and Jan Saxton, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Dr. Tinkelman has practiced in the Rochester area since 1979 and has been in solo practice since 1991 at Tinkelman Pediatrics. He completed his undergraduate degree in biology at Cornell University and  received his medical degree in 1975 from SUNY Upstate Medical Center. His residency was completed at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

“We’re excited that Dr. Tinkelman will be part of our pediatric team at Oak Orchard Health,” said Mary Ann Pettibon, CEO of Oak Orchard Health. “All patients have access to adult medical services, dental, behavioral health, and vision care.”

Oak Orchard Health

Originally founded in 1966, Oak Orchard has grown from a migrant health project into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services for everyone located in the communities we serve. Currently serving over 23,000 patients at eleven locations, Oak Orchard Health is a recognized patient-centered medical home and 501(c) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Lyndonville, Hornell and Warsaw.

County leaders press state to help Orleans get caught up with vaccines

Photo by Tom Rivers: This sign directs traffic at the mass vaccination clinic at Genesee Community College in Batavia on March 7. Of the 3,500 doses available over 5 days at GCC, Orleans County residents only were able to get 169 or 4.8 percent.

ALBION – Orleans County is lagging well behind the Finger Lakes Region and the state in getting people the Covid-19 vaccine.

County officials have tried the past three months to get more vaccine for residents, but the supply sent by the state has been far too low, said Lynne Johnson, the County Legislature chairwoman.

The state a month recognized the disparity in Orleans and approved a one-time special allotment of 1,170 doses. However, those doses didn’t come to Orleans. The state instead directed them to a mass vaccination clinic at Genesee Community College from March 5-9.

The clinic was supposed to be restricted to residents in the counties of Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming. But the state, a day before the clinic started, opened registration to everyone, without a residency restriction.

Orleans County residents only received 169 or 4.8 percent of those doses.

“It’s criminal that Orleans County is so far behind,” Johnson said on Tuesday evening in a conference call with local elected and appointed officials. “We were behind when PPP was distributed. We were behind with rapid tests when they first came out and now we are with vaccines.”

In Orleans County, 16.6 percent of the population of 40,612 has received at least one dose of the vaccine. Only the Bronx County has a lower rate, 16.2 percent, than Orleans out of 62 counties in the state.

The statewide vaccinate rate is at 22.9 percent with at least one dose. In the nine-county Finger Lakes Region, which includes Orleans, the rate is at 24.9 percent.

The vaccination rates in those nine counties includes: Orleans, 16.6 percent; Genesee, 22.1 percent; Wyoming, 19.5 percent; Monroe, 26.0 percent; Livingston, 21.8 percent; Wayne, 23.3 percent; Seneca, 21.3 percent; Yates, 25.9 percent; and Ontario, 27.8 percent.

Orleans County would need about 1,000 doses to catch up to Wyoming County, which has the second lowest rate among those nine counties. Orleans and Wyoming both have about 40,000 residents. In Orleans, 6,726 people have received at least one dose of the vaccine. In Wyoming, 7,807 have received at least one shot, according to the state’s Vaccine Tracker.

Johnson and Paul Pettit, the public health director in Genesee and Orleans counties, sent a letter on Tuesday to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, requesting a special allocation of vaccine to get Orleans caught up with the other counties.

“This is a matter of life and death for these residents,” Johnson said.

The Orleans officials also are asking for another mass vaccination clinic at GCC that would be restricted to Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming. Those three counties only got about 25 percent of the vaccines at the least clinic.

This week Orleans will receive 400 doses, which is down from the 600 last week in the weekly allotments from the state. The County Health Department will administer 300 of the doses, with Orleans Community Health (Medina Memorial Hospital) doing the other 100, Pettit said.

“Orleans County continues to lag,” Pettit told the local officials in the conference call. “Ultimately we’re not where we need to be compared to other counties. We are doing heavy advocacy for more vaccines.”

New cases reported today include 2 in Orleans, 10 in Genesee

Orleans and Genesee counties are reporting the lowest levels of active Covid-19 cases in more than four months. There are currently 26 active cases in Orleans, the fewest since 25 on Nov. 9, and 54 in Genesee, the lowest since 55 on Nov. 9. The active cases are dropping as the number of recoveries outpaces the new Covid infections.

In Orleans County, there are 2 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 to report today for a total of 2,481 positive cases since last March.

The positive cases reside in the Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19 and the 50s, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.

In Orleans, there are four more recoveries and those people have been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 3 county residents hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 10 new positive cases reported today for a total of 4,453 confirmed cases during the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in their 20s, 30s, 50s, 60s and 80s.

Two of the new cases are inmates at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia, where 120 inmates have now tested positive during the pandemic.

Genesee is reporting 17 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 2 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid, the G-O Health Departments reported.

Health Department reports another Covid death in Genesee

There are 36 new Covid-19 cases in Genesee and Orleans counties since Friday for a total of 6,922 cases in the two counties since last March.

In Orleans County there are 10 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 2,479 positive cases during the pandemic, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

The positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon) The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 40s, 60s and 70s. One of the new positives is a resident at the Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina.

Of the new cases, 2 were under mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.

Orleans is reporting 18 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. The number of active cases in the county has declined from 37 on Friday to 28 today, as recoveries outpace new confirmed cases.

There are currently 3 county residents who are hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 26 new positive cases for a total of 4,443 cases during the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.

Genesee is reporting 19 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. The number of active cases increased from 56 on Friday to 65 today.

There are currently 3 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are reporting a Genesee resident over age 65 has passed away due to Covid. The state Health Department lists 120 deaths in Genesee County due to Covid.

“We do not provide any further information to protect the privacy of the individual and their family,” the local Health Departments said in a news release. “Our deepest condolences to the family and friends during this very difficult time.”

More from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

Wedding sizes: Starting today, the Governor is allowing weddings at up to 50% of the venue capacity or up to 150 people (whichever is smaller) at weddings/catered events.

See section D (In-person and Catered Events) of the Interim Guidance for Food Services During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency updated February 24, 2021.

There are strict guidelines to be followed and responsible parties are to notify the local health department if they plan to host in-person and catered events above the state’s maximum social gathering limit, which is 50 people as of Feb. 24.

All venues/event planners are to complete the Genesee Orleans (GO Health) COVID-19 In-Person and Catered Events Notification Form (click here) no less than 5 days prior to the event – for events above NYS’s maximum social gathering limit. Those who ignore the guidance can be fined and/or lose their license to operate.

Press Release, VA Western New York Healthcare System

BATAVIA — The VA Western New York Healthcare System will now vaccinate enrolled veterans of all ages.

To date over 50 percent of veterans enrolled in VA WNYHS have already been vaccinated with the two-dose protocol of the Pfizer vaccine. Enrolled veterans should call (716) 862-7868 to schedule vaccination appointments.

Known locally as Operation New Hope, VA WNYHS’s vaccination process utilizes a 14,000-square-foot MASH tent complex at the Buffalo site, and a large open bay room at the Batavia site. VA WNYHS’s Covid-19 Team can efficiently vaccinate more than 900 veteran patients a day. Because each vaccination appointment is scheduled in advance, the entire vaccination process normally takes just 20-25 minutes.

Since mid-January, VA WNYHS has been actively reaching out to enrolled veterans who are eligible for vaccinations using CDC and VA roll-out guidelines. Currently, veterans must meet eligibility requirements for enrollment to receive vaccinations.

Veterans can check eligibility requirements by visiting www.buffalo.va.gov and clicking the “Become a Patient” tab, or call our Veterans Service Center in Buffalo at (716) 862-8829. Veterans in the Batavia area can check eligibility by calling 1-585-297-1053/56.

118 new cases in 2 counties in the past week

Orleans and Genesee counties are reporting 23 new Covid-19 cases today in the two counties. There are 118 new cases in the two counties in the past week, for a total of 6,886 since last March. Those new cases in the past seven days include 32 in Orleans, and 86 in Genesee.

In Orleans County there are 7 new cases reported today for a total of 2,469 during the pandemic. The new positive cases reported today are in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 30s, 50s and 60s.

Of the new cases 3 were under mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said.

Orleans also is reporting 7 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There are currently 3 county residents hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 16 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 4,417 positive cases during the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 60s and 90s.

Genesee is reporting 24 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed

from the isolation list. There are currently 3 Genesee hospitalized due to Covid.

Active Cases: The number of active cases in the two counties declined from 108 to 93 in the past week. In Orleans County, the active cases was up from 34 to 37, while in Genesee the active cases dropped from 74 to 56. Two weeks ago there were 148 active cases in the two counties.

Workers granted up to 4 hours of excused leave per injection

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.2588-A/A.3354-B) granting public and private employees time off to receive the Covid-19 vaccination.

Under this new law, employees will be granted up to four hours of excused leave per injection that will not be charged against any other leave the employee has earned or accrued. This legislation becomes effective immediately.

“Our essential employees have been on the front lines of this pandemic since day one, and as we begin to work toward a new normal in a post-pandemic world, it is critical that these employees are able to get vaccinated as quickly as possible to protect themselves and their families,” Governor Cuomo said. “This legislation will allow both public and private employees to take time off to get vaccinated without exhausting the leave they have earned, putting us one step closer to getting every single New Yorker vaccinated and defeating this virus once and for all.”

Assemblymember Charles D. Fall, D-Staten Island, said, “The quicker and more efficient we can get residents of New York vaccinated, the faster we can reopen businesses, further extend business hours in a safe manner and once again achieve normalcy in our daily lives. We all realize that the vaccine roll-out has not been smooth, to date, but with the federal administration bringing forth a clear plan to get more vaccine in arms, this law ensures that hardworking New Yorkers are not forced to choose between losing wages and receiving their vaccination.”

There are 19 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 today in Genesee and Orleans counties, bringing the total to 6,863 in the two counties since March a year ago.

In Orleans County there are 6 new cases reported today for a total of 2,462 cases during the pandemic.

The positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 30s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

One of the newly positive individuals was under mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said today.

In Orleans, 3 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There is currently 1 county resident hospitalized due to Covid.

Genesee County today reported 13 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 4,401 cases during the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 50s, 70s and 80s. (One of the new positive individuals is an inmate at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia.)

Genesee is reporting 4 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 5 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

Mandatory quarantine remains in effect for international travelers

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that domestic travelers will no longer be required to quarantine after entering New York from another U.S. State or U.S. Territory starting April 1st.

While no longer required, the NYS Department of Health still recommends quarantine after domestic travel as an added precaution. Mandatory quarantine remains in effect for international travelers. All travelers must continue to fill out the Traveler Health Form. Individuals should continue strict adherence to all safety guidelines to stop the spread – wearing masks, socially distancing and avoiding gatherings.

“New Yorkers have shown strength and perseverance throughout this entire pandemic, and it shows through the numbers that continue to decrease every day,” Cuomo said. “As we work to build our vaccination infrastructure even further and get more shots in arms, we’re making significant progress in winning the footrace between the infection rate and the vaccination rate, allowing us to open new sectors of our economy and start our transition to a new normal in a post-pandemic world. As part of that transition, quarantine for domestic travelers is no longer required, but it is still being advised as an added precaution.”

Regardless of quarantine status, all individuals exposed to Covid-19 or returning from travel must:

• Continue daily symptom monitoring through Day 14;
• Continue strict adherence to all recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions, including hand hygiene and the use of face coverings, through Day 14 (even if fully vaccinated);
• Must immediately self-isolate if any symptoms develop and contact the local public health authority or their healthcare provider to report this change in clinical status and determine if they should seek testing.

In Genesee, 11 of the new cases are at Detention Center

There are 24 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 to report today in Genesee and Orleans counties, for a total of 6,844 cases since last March in the two counties.

In Orleans County there are 6 new positive cases today for a total of 2,456 cases during the pandemic. The positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. One of the newly positive individuals was under mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said.

In Orleans, 1 more of the previous positive individuals has recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 2 county residents hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 18 new positive cases of Covid reported today for a total of 4,388 cases during the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside in the Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.

Of the new cases, 11 are inmates at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center, where 117 inmates have now tested positive during the pandemic.

Genesee is reporting 17 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed from the isolation list.

Genesee has 4 residents currently hospitalized due to Covid.

More from the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments:

• Vaccine eligibility expanded: Beginning March 10th, all New Yorkers 60 years and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

Public facing essential workers from governmental and nonprofit organizations will be eligible beginning March 17th. This expansion includes public-facing essential building services workers. Providers will be able to vaccinate any eligible New Yorkers, with the exception of pharmacies who will focus on individuals over the age of 60 and teachers, in line with federal policy beginning March 10th.

This is all subject to the availability of the vaccine to the providers. This new addition of new eligible residents still far exceeds the supply of vaccine received in our counties. Individuals who are eligible must have an appointment in order to get a vaccine. To check for vaccination clinics in Genesee and Orleans counties, click here.

For more information about the vaccine and access for those who are 60 and older who do not have internet access, please contact your respective Office for the Aging (OFA).

For Genesee OFA please call 585-813-2457 for COVID-19 vaccine assistance between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and leave a message if you get voicemail and someone will return the call. For Orleans OFA please call 585-589-3191 between 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and leave a message if you get voicemail and someone will return the call. The OFA offices can only assist with the clinic links as they are available. The system may experience slowdowns and crashing due to high volume. Please be patient and try again later.

Genesee, Orleans pass 200 Covid-related deaths during pandemic

Orleans and Genesee counties combined are reporting 16 more confirmed cases of Covid-19 today, but only 2 are in Orleans.

In Orleans County, the 2 new cases today give the county 2,450 positive cases since last March. The positive cases reside in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby). Both individuals are in their 20s and both were under mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.

Orleans is reporting 5 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There is one resident from Orleans currently hospitalized due to Covid.

Orleans has 29 active Covid cases today, which is the fewest since there were 25 on Nov. 9. The county hit a peak with 279 active cases on Jan. 7. A month ago on Feb. 9 there were 73 actives cases.

In Genesee County there are 14 new positive cases of Covid-19 for a total of 4,370 cases during the pandemic.

The new positive cases reside in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford).

The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. Genesee is reporting 10 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

Genesee currently has 4 residents hospitalized due to Covid.

The Health Departments is reporting the Covid-related death of a Genesee resident over the age of 65. Genesee has now had 120 residents die from Covid, while Orleans has had 82 residents pass away due to Covid.

More from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

Vaccine Eligibility Expanded: Beginning March 10th, all New Yorkers 60 years and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

Public facing essential workers from governmental and nonprofit organizations will be eligible beginning March 17th. This expansion includes public-facing essential building services workers.

Providers will be able to vaccinate any eligible New Yorkers, with the exception of pharmacies who will focus on individuals over the age of 60 and teachers, in line with federal policy beginning March 10th. This is all subject to the availability of the vaccine to the providers.

This new addition of new eligible residents still far exceeds the supply of vaccine received in our counties. Individuals who are eligible must have an appointment in order to get a vaccine.

To check for vaccination clinics in Genesee and Orleans counties, click here.

For more information about the vaccine and access for those who are 60 and older who do not have internet access, please contact your respective Office for the Aging (OFA). For Genesee OFA please call 585-813-2457 for Covid-19 Vaccine assistance between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and leave a message if you get voicemail and someone will return the call.

For Orleans OFA please call 585-589-3191 between 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and leave a message if you get voicemail and someone will return the call. The OFA offices can only assist with the clinic links as they are available. The system may experience slowdowns and crashing due to high volume. Please be patient and try again later.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a new expansion of Covid-19 vaccine eligibility in New York.

Beginning March 10, all New Yorkers 60 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine, while public facing essential workers from governmental and nonprofit entities will be eligible beginning March 17. This expansion also includes public-facing essential building services workers.

Additionally, the Governor announced that with increased supply of the vaccine, restrictions concerning which segments of the eligible population specific providers can vaccinate will be relaxed to align with the expanded eligibility on March 17.

Previously, certain types of providers were directed to focus their vaccination efforts on specific populations to ensure equitable vaccine distribution. For example, hospitals vaccinated health care workers, local health departments vaccinated essential workers and pharmacies vaccinated New Yorkers 65 years of age and older.

Now, providers will be able to vaccinate any eligible New Yorker, with the exception of pharmacies, which will focus on individuals over the age of 60 and teachers, in line with federal policy. Pharmacies may begin vaccinating individuals over the age of 60 and teachers on March 10. As part of this effort, providers are being encouraged to vaccinate those New Yorkers most at risk, such as individuals 60 years of age and older and people with comorbidities and underlying health conditions.

“New York is marching forward expanding access to the Covid-19 vaccine, addressing underserved communities and getting shots in arms as we turn the tide in the fight against this virus,” Cuomo said. “Supply is steadily increasing and we’re opening new vaccination sites and expanding eligibility to match it.”

Under this new expansion of eligibility, the following essential workers will now be eligible to begin receiving the Covid-19 vaccine on March 17:

• Public-facing government and public employees
• Not-for-profit workers who provide public-facing services to New Yorkers in need
• Essential in-person public-facing building service workers

This includes workers such as public works employees, social service and child service caseworkers, government inspectors, sanitation workers, DMV workers, County Clerks, building service workers and election workers – the everyday heroes who have been showing up day in and day out throughout this pandemic.

New York’s vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to this limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.

Eligible New Yorkers will be able to schedule appointments at state vaccination sites by utilizing New York’s ‘Am I Eligible’ website or by calling the state’s Covid-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).