One of the segments of the population most affected by coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly been that of the elders, and there is still a great controversy in New York about whether Stockings taken by the authorities last spring avoided, or on the contrary worsened, that the number of older adults who died from COVID-19 in the care centers it has been astronomical. Although official figures estimate that the dead were 6,600, some Health experts assure it could be double.
And to prevent this vulnerable population remain one of the main victims of the pandemic, this Monday the state started the vaccination process in 618 nursing homes and nursing homes for the elderly, of which 170 are in the Big Apple, which is part of the second stage of the process that began with the immunization first of health workers.
When referring to this first stage of the vaccination process, Governor Andrew Cuomo said this monday that NY “It has already distributed more doses than any other state across the country, even despite last week’s snowstorm. Already 38,000 New Yorkers have been vaccinated. “
The first elderly man to receive the vaccine this Monday, 10 months after the start of the health crisis created by the coronavirus, was Kelley Dixon, 78, a resident the ‘Hebrew Home’ in Riverdale, in the Bronx.
On a live stream, Dixon was seen this morning roll up his sleeve and receive the injection, which can potentially save his life at a time when New York is being hit hard by a second wave of infections of the COVID-19.
“Today is the beginning of the end. Finally, at 10 months, we begin to see the light in the crack of darkness. Ironically, on the shortest day of the year, the sun will shine on the Hebrew Home, ”he said. Daniel Reingold, President and CEO of Hebrew Home in Riverdale, who confirmed that the 600 residents in that nursing home had consented to receiving the dose.
He vaccination program in nursing homes will also include workers in these places, and the governor explained that it will last six weeks, “and includes three ‘key days’ in each facility, divided into day 1 in which residents and a portion of workers will receive the first injection, and day 2, which is when residents and the same portion of workers will receive the second dose, and on day 3 when the rest of the employees will be vaccinated ”.
In the Hebrew Home, for example, It is expected that by Wednesday 100% of the elderly will have been vaccinated, Since there about six pharmacists will administer the doses to 200 residents per day, and to this will be added a total of 1,000 people who work in this place.
The vaccination of health workers began last Monday, but the process in more than 600 state nursing homes was delayed a week, because state officials chose to enroll in a federal program that hires Walgreens and CVS to administer the doses.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 50 elderly people have died in the Hebrew Home, and in addition to that center, this Monday it was also planned to administer the vaccine in the ‘New Jewish Home’ on the Upper West Side, and on the ‘Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center’ and Long Island.
This second stage comes after a federal advisory panel voted Sunday to put people 75 and older and essential workers in the next row for vaccines. Essential workers include firefighters, police officers, prison employees, teachers and school personnel, those who work in public transportation, grocery stores, in the food, agricultural and manufacturing sectors, and employees of the Postal Service.
Vaccination in NYC
In New York City the vaccination process is going ‘smooth sailing’, and the Mayor Bill de Blasio reported Monday that 42% of the doses that have reached the Big Apple had already been administered, which was double the national average of 19%.
“Hope is on the horizon in New York City,” said the Mayor, adding that we are “advancing at full speed so that health workers and the elderly receive the vaccines they need to win the battle against the virus once and for all.”
De Blasio also announced the official inauguration this Monday of the Vaccine Command Center which will, among other things, allow New Yorkers to obtain real-time information on the dosing process in all five boroughs.
Meanwhile, the City Health Commissioner, Dr. Dave Chokshi, stressed that although we are still in the early stages of the process, “the vaccination figures already applied reflect the depth of preparation of our medical care system and public health professionals.”
“The health workers who receive this vaccine have shown a lot of heroism and this vaccine will give them a layer of protection as they fight for our health in the coming year,” concluded Chokshi.
Vaccination in NY in numbers:
- 267,250 doses of Pfizer have already reached the state.
- 346,000 doses of Moderna will arrive this week.
- 120,000 extra doses of Pfizer also arrive this week.
- 630,000 total doses was the figure that had originally been confirmed to arrive in December.
- 42,900 doses have already been distributed to hospitals and nursing homes in NYC.
- 18,105 of those 42,9000 have already been applied to individuals.
Information about the vaccine:
- To follow up on the process of managing disis in NYC in real time, visit the page: nyc.gov/vaccinecommandcenter
- NYC call 311.
- State of NY call 888-364-3065.
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