Nearly 1,200 Residents Receive COVID-19 Vaccinations

GOSHEN – Under the direction of Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus, the County’s Health Department in collaboration with Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall (MSLC) administered the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination to approximately 1,170 residents on Friday, February 26th at SUNY Orange’s Newburgh campus.

The Point of Dispensing (POD) at SUNY Orange was held a day after the County vaccinated approximately 1,300 residents with the Moderna vaccine at its clinic on Hatfield Lane in Goshen.

“I want to thank the leadership and staff at Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall for assisting the County in providing these critical vaccinations to our residents and for their continued dedicated work and resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Neuhaus said. “The ongoing public health emergency has solidified the importance of our partnership with MSLC and other local hospitals and healthcare providers, and we know we will always come together to assist the community. Orange County continues to administer 100 percent of the vaccine doses provided to us by the State and we will continue to distribute the vaccination safely, equitably and as efficiently as possible.”

Neuhaus also commended the work of the County’s Health Department, the County’s Medical Reserve Corps Unit (MRC) the Department of Emergency Services and SUNY Orange staff for running another efficient POD on a strict deadline, a day after the first dose clinic. The Health Department administered approximately 2,100 second doses to residents on Hatfield Lane on Tuesday, February 23rd.

“We were excited to collaborate with Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall and our other community stakeholders to administer these vaccine doses at SUNY Orange,” Orange County Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman said. “These vital collaborations assist with curbing the spread of the disease by increasing access to vaccination throughout our County and improving health equity by amplifying outreach to underserved communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.”

Dr. Gelman reminded residents to remain vigilant about COVID-19 safety measures, including wearing a face mask, frequent hand washing and social distancing.

“Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall is proud to have partnered with County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Dr. Irina Gelman, Health Commissioner and the entire team at the Orange County Health Department to administer vaccines to eligible community members today,” said Joan Cusack-McGuirk, MSLC Chief Executive Officer. “The best defense against this virus is vaccination and with each vaccine given, we are one step closer to the end of this pandemic. I would also like to thank Dr. Kristine Young, and the team at SUNY Orange for hosting all of us and our community.”

“I can think of no better way for our College to be of service to our neighbors and community at this time than by lending our available physical resources in Newburgh to support the health and safety of more than 1,000 of our fellow citizens,” added Dr. Kristine Young, SUNY Orange president. “County Executive Neuhaus and his team, Dr. Gelman and the health department staff and the experienced healthcare workers from Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall are the stars of this show. The College stands ready to assist whenever our services, facilities and employees are needed.”

New York State has established state-operated sites across the state. Residents can utilize the State’s online “Am I Eligible?” tool at https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ to determine if they are currently eligible for vaccinations and, if so, will see a list of those state-operated locations where appointments may be available. Additionally, New York State has begun limited distribution of the vaccine to various pharmacy locations throughout the State.

Please note, appointments CANNOT be made by calling the Orange County Health Department’s Information Call Center, as appointments must currently be made through a state-operated online registration system. New York State’s COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline, 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829), is available to make appointments at New York State-run vaccination sites.

To sign up for vaccination information through Orange County, please go to vaccination.orangecountygov.com.