NYS Vaccine Eligibility

NYSAVT Members:

New York State has activated an online tool to let you search for COVID-19 vaccination sites near you. Visit https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/and fill out the pre-screening form. After confirming your eligibility, you will be provided with a list of vaccination sites in your region where you can make an appointment.

New York State has directed veterinary care staff to use curbside check-in protocols so that they can avoid direct contact with the public.  The state continues to direct veterinary care staff to use curbside check-in protocols so that it can focus vaccine efforts on high risk groups that cannot avoid exposure to the public.

Please keep in mind that because the plans for administration of the vaccine have been developed on a region-by-region basis, there may be some variability in the timing for vaccine availability across the state.

Once Available, How Will Veterinary Technicians Receive the Vaccine?
Administration of the vaccine has primarily been through regional hospitals, but in order to reach a greater number of people and improve access, the State’s plan is to have more decentralized and transportable locations throughout hundreds of communities in the future. To date, administration of the vaccine has been undertaken at hospitals throughout the state (e.g., Upstate Medical Center (Syracuse); Downstate Health Sciences (NYC); Stony Brook University Medical (Long Island), among many others), principally because most of the initial recipients of the vaccine are hospital-based or affiliated. The State is also implementing a Federal program to provide on-site vaccination of nursing home residents and staff at 618 facilities throughout the State over the next two weeks.

The State’s plan to vaccinate other prioritized groups and the general public are being developed on a regional basis through Regional Vaccination Hubs, which are led by local hospital systems that will “work with community leaders to develop regional vaccination networks which will guide vaccine administrations.” The resulting Regional Implementation Plans are intended to reflect regional differences and priorities and must be submitted to the State for approval next week and be in place by late January. These Plans will presumably provide the details regarding the locations at which one can be vaccinated, any identification or proof of professional standing that will be required, and any other protocols to be followed in order to receive the vaccine.

Developments related to the distribution and administration of the vaccine in New York are occurring routinely, and we are staying informed to better understand the evolving process for vaccine administration.  We will continue to share updates as they are received.

Thank you,

NYSAVT Board of Directors & Staff