The Vaccine is Coming, But Dealers Still Need to be Vigilant

During a Press Conference yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced that the State’s COVID-19 positivity rate is 5.44%, a slight decrease from 5.74% a day earlier.  The Governor then went into more detail about the State’s vaccination distribution plan.

As reported last week, the State will receive 170,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine, which is expected to be approved for emergency distribution by the FDA and the State’s independent vaccine review board later today.  The State’s doses are expected to arrive on December 15th but could possibly arrive as soon as this weekend. 

The Governor announced last week, the first people to receive the vaccine will be nursing home residents and staff, with any leftovers going to “high risk” hospital workers, which includes individuals who work in intensive care units, emergency rooms, or pulmonary care. After all nursing home residents and staff and “high risk” health care workers receive the vaccine, future doses of the vaccine will then be allocated as such:

• Long term care workers, staff, and residents, along with EMS workers

• Essential workers

• General population

The Governor also announced that the state has established 90 regional distributions centers that have the capability to store the vaccine in the extremely cold temperatures that are required.

Lastly, the Governor announced that the State will be partnering with CVS and Walgreens to begin a federal vaccination program for nursing homes, like what is done with the flu vaccine. The program will begin on December 21st, and the State is dedicating part of its initial allocation to the program, which is expected to cover all nursing home residents in the State.

In the meantime, it is important for all of us to take the necessary precautions and steps to remain safe and free from the virus. Always wearing masks at the dealership, washing hands on a regular basis, and keeping proper distancing from others are key to reducing the risk of contracting the virus or spreading it to others.

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us at 718.746.5900.