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

On May 16, 2019, the New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians submitted a Memorandum of Opposition in relation to Senate Bill 5532 (Gianaris) and Assembly Bill A1303 (Rosenthal) pertaining to surgical onychectomy of cats in New York State.

To download a copy of NYSAVT's memorandum of opposition, click here.

To the Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo

Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Cuomo,

We are writing to request that New York State proclaim the 3^rd week of October NYS Licensed Veterinary Technician week. National Veterinary Technician week is celebrated each October but has never been formally recognized by our state or national governments.

We represent the more than 4,000 licensed professionals in NYS. The Licensed Veterinary Technician is an essential veterinary team member, but one who is rarely recognized for their contributions to the veterinary medical field. We have been advocating since the early 1990’s on their behalf. New York is one of only a few states that requires technicians to be licensed and meet mandatory continuing education requirements. Most consumers know their veterinarians but very few realize that the licensed technician is also responsible for the care and well being of the patients being treated.

We strive to advocate and educate on behalf of our members and feel that a statewide proclamation can help further our mission and send a message of support and appreciation for the thousands of professionals we represent. I have attached an educational flyer that may better explain who we are, what we do, and how we make a difference.