Covid-19 vaccination has begun in NYC!!!
There are many important questions about who will get vaccinated when and where, and what it all means for you and your family.
Here are some answers….
1/
There are many important questions about who will get vaccinated when and where, and what it all means for you and your family.
Here are some answers….
1/
Who will get vaccinated first?
* Today NYC hospitals are receiving first batches of the Pfizer vaccine—several 100 per hospital. Being given first to staff in ERs & ICUs—not just docs & nurses but also support staff who have covid contact. Will be staggered over several days. 2/
* Today NYC hospitals are receiving first batches of the Pfizer vaccine—several 100 per hospital. Being given first to staff in ERs & ICUs—not just docs & nurses but also support staff who have covid contact. Will be staggered over several days. 2/
What about nursing homes?
* Vaccination in nursing homes starts 12/21. Will be handled through a national partnership w/ Walgreens & CVS, so the nursing homes themselves do not have to deal with the complex logistics. Residents will be vaccinated in their individual rooms. 3/
* Vaccination in nursing homes starts 12/21. Will be handled through a national partnership w/ Walgreens & CVS, so the nursing homes themselves do not have to deal with the complex logistics. Residents will be vaccinated in their individual rooms. 3/
What about home healthcare workers?
* They will be part of the first phase of vaccination as well. The NYC Dept. of Health will set up Points of Dispensing (PODs) in several community locations for this workforce. 4/
* They will be part of the first phase of vaccination as well. The NYC Dept. of Health will set up Points of Dispensing (PODs) in several community locations for this workforce. 4/
What about other essential workers?
* First responders who are high covid risk (especially EMS) will be part of phase 1A. Vaccination of essential workers more broadly will likely start in mid- to late-Jan.
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* First responders who are high covid risk (especially EMS) will be part of phase 1A. Vaccination of essential workers more broadly will likely start in mid- to late-Jan.
5/
Will vaccination be mandatory?
* For now hospitals have signaled that vaccination will be voluntary for staff. That may change at some point. There are no plans to make vaccination mandatory for the broader population, though individual employers may require. 6/
* For now hospitals have signaled that vaccination will be voluntary for staff. That may change at some point. There are no plans to make vaccination mandatory for the broader population, though individual employers may require. 6/
What about people in jails (including staff)?
* The timeline for vaccination in NYC jails is not yet clear. (But this must be high priority give significant risks of spread there.) 7/
* The timeline for vaccination in NYC jails is not yet clear. (But this must be high priority give significant risks of spread there.) 7/
Just who qualifies as an essential worker?
* This has yet to be fully defined. But it is critical that all of those who have no choice but to work in contact with the public be included--workers in food delivery, supermarkets, transit, restaurants, schools, laundromats etc. 8/
* This has yet to be fully defined. But it is critical that all of those who have no choice but to work in contact with the public be included--workers in food delivery, supermarkets, transit, restaurants, schools, laundromats etc. 8/
What about high-risk individuals in the general population?
* For now the plan is that those who are at risk either due to age (65+) or underlying medical condition will be in phase 1C, following essential workers (1B). But there is debate on this and this order could change. /9
* For now the plan is that those who are at risk either due to age (65+) or underlying medical condition will be in phase 1C, following essential workers (1B). But there is debate on this and this order could change. /9
When/where will the general public get vaccinated?
* Probably not until late spring. In addition to all the normal places you would get, say, a flu vaccine (e.g. pharmacies), the Dept. of Health will set up Points of Dispensing (PODs) in school buildings around the city.
10/
* Probably not until late spring. In addition to all the normal places you would get, say, a flu vaccine (e.g. pharmacies), the Dept. of Health will set up Points of Dispensing (PODs) in school buildings around the city.
10/
Will kids get the vaccine?
* For now only those aged 16+. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have not been studied for children. A pediatric vaccine may be available sometime next year. 11/
* For now only those aged 16+. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have not been studied for children. A pediatric vaccine may be available sometime next year. 11/
Should pregnant people get the vaccine?
* Unfortunately there is not yet pregnancy-specific data from the Pfizer & Moderna trials. (Though scientists do not have particular concern on that front). If you are pregnant consult your doctor on vaccination. 12/
npr.org/2020/12/11/945…
* Unfortunately there is not yet pregnancy-specific data from the Pfizer & Moderna trials. (Though scientists do not have particular concern on that front). If you are pregnant consult your doctor on vaccination. 12/
npr.org/2020/12/11/945…
Will people who have covid antibodies still get the vaccine?
* For now the answer is yes, partly out of logistical concerns and partly because of uncertainty about how immunity works. Individual hospitals & employers may choose differently, however. 13/
* For now the answer is yes, partly out of logistical concerns and partly because of uncertainty about how immunity works. Individual hospitals & employers may choose differently, however. 13/
Will you still have to wear a mask if you get vaccinated?
* For now the answer is a definitive yes. While the Pfizer/Moderna vaccines have proven to be extremely effective at keeping you from getting sick, it's not yet clear if they also prevent you from spreading the virus. 14/
* For now the answer is a definitive yes. While the Pfizer/Moderna vaccines have proven to be extremely effective at keeping you from getting sick, it's not yet clear if they also prevent you from spreading the virus. 14/
Can undocumented NYers get the vaccine?
* Yes! CDC has agreed not to require any personal information which could be used to identify someone’s documentation status. (But this issue needs to be monitored closely.) 15/
* Yes! CDC has agreed not to require any personal information which could be used to identify someone’s documentation status. (But this issue needs to be monitored closely.) 15/
Is NYC’s public health system ready for this?
* Yes. We have the best health dept in the world. They have an emergency response plan in place to administer antibiotics to the entire population of NYC in 72 hrs in case of an anthrax attack. Covid is tough but not that tough. /16
* Yes. We have the best health dept in the world. They have an emergency response plan in place to administer antibiotics to the entire population of NYC in 72 hrs in case of an anthrax attack. Covid is tough but not that tough. /16
Do we have enough “ultra-cold” storage?
* Yes. Special freezers that can maintain -70C are in place at the Dept. of Health warehouse, all NYC hospitals, and key City agencies like FDNY. Total capacity for several 100 thousand doses at any one time. /17
* Yes. Special freezers that can maintain -70C are in place at the Dept. of Health warehouse, all NYC hospitals, and key City agencies like FDNY. Total capacity for several 100 thousand doses at any one time. /17
How will we ensure Black & Brown communities are not left behind?
* We need to design every aspect of this program to ensure equity, with honest communication that acknowledges the history of medical racism.
@uche_blackstock and I wrote about this:
gothamgazette.com/opinion/9990-n… /18
* We need to design every aspect of this program to ensure equity, with honest communication that acknowledges the history of medical racism.
@uche_blackstock and I wrote about this:
gothamgazette.com/opinion/9990-n… /18
When will vaccination start to slow the spread of covid in NYC?
* Not for a while. Experts think we need to get to 70-80% vaccinated before we have enough immunity to stop the pandemic. This means we still have to fight hard in months ahead to slow covid with our own actions. /19
* Not for a while. Experts think we need to get to 70-80% vaccinated before we have enough immunity to stop the pandemic. This means we still have to fight hard in months ahead to slow covid with our own actions. /19
To recap: The arrival of vaccines to NYC is the thrilling news we’ve all been waiting for. Getting everyone vaccinated will not be quick or easy, and in the meantime we still have to work hard to keep each other safe. But the end of the pandemic is at last in sight. 20/20
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