Liberty, NY – Sullivan County Public Health Services is pleased to announce that it will begin offering the “booster” shot (third dose) of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine next week.
“Now that we have the necessary guidance from the State, we are eager to provide this shot to those who meet the eligibility criteria outlined by the CDC,” Public Health Director Nancy McGraw said. “We will be adding a special clinic every Wednesday to our current schedule for the distribution of this third dose, with the expectation that it will continue to limit the worst impacts of coronavirus for those at highest risk.”
Starting October 6, third-dose clinics will be held at Public Health’s 50 Community Lane office in Liberty every Wednesday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome as long as there is room to accommodate, but pre-registration is encouraged to ensure a quick, efficient visit.
Registration can be accomplished at www.sullivanny.us/Departments/Publichealth/COVIDvaccines/clinics. For those who do not have a computer or encounter difficulties while registering, Sullivan County’s Community Assistance Center can help complete registration by calling 845-807-0925 during business hours.
Only the following individuals are eligible for a third dose at this time:
- Those aged 65 or older who received the Pfizer vaccination at least six (6) months ago
- Those aged 50-64 who have underlying medical conditions (see list below) and who received the Pfizer vaccination at least six (6) months ago
- Those aged 18-49 who have underlying medical conditions (see list below) and who received the Pfizer vaccination at least six (6) months ago, based on individual benefit and risk
- Those aged 18-64 who received the Pfizer vaccination at least six (6) months ago and are at increased risk because of their occupational or institutional setting, including:
- Essential workers (frontline and non-frontline)
- Unpaid caregivers of frail/immunocompromised individuals
- Paid/unpaid workers who must interact with others less than six (6) feet away
- Residents of a congregate setting, like a homeless shelter or correctional facility
Underlying medical conditions which qualify someone to receive this third dose include:
- Cancer (current or in remission)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Pulmonary disease, including COPD, asthma (moderate to severe), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and 9/11-related diseases
- Intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Down Syndrome
- Heart conditions, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, and high blood pressure
- Immunocompromised states, like those associated with solid organ transplants, blood/bone marrow transplants, immune deficiencies, HIV, and immune-weakening medication use
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
- Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Neurologic conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Liver disease
Booster shots for those who took the Moderna or Janssen (J&J) vaccines are not being offered at this time. However, Public Health continues to provide first-dose Pfizer shots every Wednesday from 2-6 p.m.
The COVID-19 vaccine, including booster doses, are free and widely available statewide at pharmacies, local health departments, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and other locations across New York State. Visit vaccines.gov or text your zip code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.
You can use the tool on this website to schedule an appointment at a New York State-run mass vaccination site https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov. Subject to availability, individuals can walk in at any of the state sites without an appointment and be vaccinated. Appointments are strongly recommended for booster doses.
For more information about COVID-19, go to the Sullivan County website at www.sullivanny.us or call the COVID-19 Sullivan County Public Health Services Information Line at (845) 513-2268, or the state’s coronavirus hotline at 1-888-364-3065.