Supervisor Gerry Siller said Tuesday the Town is “working all of our options” to get a COVID-19 vaccine POD for Shelter Island.
Currently, New York State is offering vaccinations at large distribution centers and through certain medical institutions. But the number of people eligible for vaccination has far outstripped the supply, and it is nearly impossible to find an available appointment.
The goal of numerous calls from Town officials to county, state and federal officials is to earn designation as a point of distribution (POD). The supervisor, deputy supervisor, police chief and others have been in near daily contact with health officials seeking information.
Siller said the Town has proven its capacity to conduct a vaccination program, having distributed hundreds of flu, pneumonia and shingles vaccines in an ongoing program with RiteAid, and now “just needs the vaccine.”
Shelter Island Police Chief James Read, who serves as the Town’s Emegency Management Coordinator, agreed. Islanders “shouldn’t have to go the Javits Center or fly to Florida” to be vaccinated, he said.
Leaders across the East End are clamoring for local vaccination distribution, Siller and Read said. “We just can’t get the vaccine,” Read said. “That’s what we’re hearing across Suffolk County and across the state.”
The Town’s Senior Services program has been collecting names of eligible seniors who want to get the COVID-19 vaccine, should it become available. (To be added to that list, send an email to sara.mundy@shelterislandtown.us.) More than 300 people have registered so far.
“We’re set up to do it, we know how to do it and we’re trying to qualify to see if we can get a POD here on Shelter Island,” Siller said.
The supervisor said of Islanders “we’re being as careful as we can as far as COVID.” By Suffolk County’s latest tally, 39 COVID-19 cases have been reported on Shelter Island, resulting in a rate per thousand residents that is far lower than elsewhere on the East End, and on Long Island generally.
