The Peru Gazette

Plattsburgh, March 29, 2021. New York State has opened the eligibility criteria for COVID-19 vaccination to include those 30 years of age and older. The Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) has appointments available for residents ages 30 and older to receive their COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, Clinton County residents ages 18-29 with a NYS identified comorbidity, or who fall into a Phase 1A or Phase 1B priority group are eligible to register. 

A vaccination POD (point of distribution) site is scheduled for Thursday, April 1 in the gymnasium at Clinton Community College. 

“CCHD is very pleased eligibility has been expanded to include more of our residents,” stated John Kanoza, Director of Public Health in Clinton County. “We hope that with this expansion comes more allocated vaccine to local health departments. The more vaccine received, the more doses we can get to our residents.” 

To date, CCHD has administered more than 5,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine. “We have a scalable approach that allows us to staff our POD sites based on the number of vaccinations available each week,” added Mr. Kanoza. “We will continue to advertise these PODs using social and traditional media.” 

While more residents are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, we understand there may still be some hesitancy among community members to get the vaccine. “The efficacy of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines has been well proven at this point,” stated Margaret Searing, Quality Coordinator at the Clinton County Health Department. “A person who receives a COVID-19 vaccination can be 95% certain that they will be protected from active disease. Even if someone happens to be within the 5% who become sick, they are protected from the more severe forms of the illness that result in hospitalization and death.” 

CCHD recommends all eligible residents register for a COVID-19 vaccination. “So far there is no evidence of waning of immunity from vaccination six or more months into our experience with it. However, there is a risk of getting re-infected with COVID-19 for people who have had an active case, but did not get vaccinated,” added Ms. Searing. 

To register yourself, or a loved one, for this clinic visit www.clintonhealth.org or https://apps2.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/cdmspr/2/counties?OpID=BEB25C2E61DC06EEE0530A6C7C16C332. Residents can also reach out to CCHD via phone at 518-565-4848. 

Clinton Community College can be accessed by using Clinton County Public Transit (CCPT). Visit http://www.clintoncountypublictransit.com/ for route information.