New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that he would allow counties to decide if they want to designate restaurant workers and taxi drivers eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. But Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said he is not yet ready to make a decision.
“I need more data from all parties vaccinating in our county. I need a better understanding of how many people are still eligible after this week that haven’t received the vaccine out of some of these sub-categories. How many folks just aren’t going to get the vaccine right now because they’re comfortable?” said McMahon.
McMahon said that last week eligible county residents had a 1.4% chance to book a slot for their one-day vaccination clinic. He said when supply of the vaccine is still so low, he’s not sure if it’s smart to add more demand.
“The last thing I need to do is make a bad situation worse,” said McMahon. “Meaning that 1.4% have a chance of an appointment this week, that that percent is even less next week because we brought on another 5 [thousand] 10,000 people who are eligible.”
The county will open630 appointments to the eligible public Wednesday at 10am for its Thursday clinic on their website. There will also be a small clinic for people with developmental disabilities living in congregate care facilities on Friday.
McMahon is again reminding those who are registered withthe OnListto frequently check their email. Notification will be sent to those who were randomly selected from the list for the county’s clinic this week in the morning. McMahon says the OnList is now full.
