Last Updated: 5/14/2021
Gov. Cuomo authorized all vaccine providers enrolled in the NYS COVID-19 vaccination program to expand eligibility for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to people in the 12-15 age group, effective immediately. This decision was made after the NYS Clinical Advisory Task Force conducted a review, after the CDC endorsed the Pfizer vaccine from 12-15 year olds, and after the FDA reviewed data and expanded the emergency use authorization for this vaccine. This is good news! View the full list of eligible groups on the New York State Department of Health website here.
CCP is developing our plan for the distribution of COVID vaccine in our offices. We have several offices that are trying to fit this into their usual operating routine through pilot programs. Our goal is to find the best practices and roll out vaccines in our primary care offices when possible in the near future.
We understand that you have questions and there is a lot of information out there to sort through. We are here for you to help answer those questions and connect you with getting your vaccine when you are ready. To speak with someone about your vaccine questions, please call your primary care office so that we can assist.
Vaccine Supply at CCP:
We have several offices that are trying to fit this into their usual operating routine through pilot programs, otherwise, vaccines are not broadly available yet in our offices. As such, if you are eligible, you must get your vaccine elsewhere, at least for now. Do not wait for your vaccine at CCP. If/when we receive vaccine, we will let you know. Our goal is to find the best practices and roll out vaccines in our primary care offices when possible in the near future.
There are a lot of vaccine myths circulating around. This CNN article does a good job of summarizing, and debunking, these myths. If you are hesitant to get the vaccine for any reason, we encourage you to read this article (https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/28/health/covid-vaccine-myths-debunked/index.html).
The vaccines currently available in the United States are effective at preventing COVID-19, are safe, and are important tools to stop the pandemic.
This is where you can schedule a vaccine appointment:
- Visit CapitalRegionVAX.org – this is the Capital Region Vaccine Network website and has the latest information about vaccine locations and scheduling. As more vaccine locations are established, this site is updated, accordingly.
- "Am I Eligible" website on the New York State Department of Health website (https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/). This site will link you to state and federal-run centers.
- The state vaccination hotline – call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829)
- vaccinefinder.org (https://vaccinefinder.org/) – The site allows you to search for a vaccine provider (primarily pharmacies like Walmart, CVS, Rite Aid, Hannaford, Price Chopper, etc.) by zip code and by manufacturer.
- Eligible individuals can also pre-register for vaccine via this link: https://www.518c19.com/. Community partners who have available vaccine will use this pre-registration list as a source of those to contact for vaccine.
You’ll need to check these sites often. As more vaccine providers are established and supply is received, appointments will open up. We encourage you to get vaccinated once eligible and take any appointment that becomes available. Go with the sure thing. Get the appointment wherever, whenever you can.
For more information on the three authorized vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) – visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines.html. Please note that at this time, only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is indicated for those as young as 16. All three of the vaccines are indicated for adults 18 years of age or older.
If you’ve received your COVID-19 vaccine and you have a CCP primary care provider, please bring your CDC vaccine card to your next appointment so we can document it in your patient record.
Even with universal vaccine eligibility in NY, we must stay the course and continue to follow CDC and DOH guidelines on masking, social distancing, and hand washing. We’re close to conquering Covid-19, and we don’t want a resurgence.
We will keep you updated directly using email communications through our secure Solution Reach platform, on our website www.communitycare.com/COVID and on Community Care Physicians’ Facebook page as to when the vaccine is available. We will let you know when it’s time for you to schedule your vaccine appointment at CCP.
General Vaccine Information
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines. mRNA vaccine technology is new but not unknown. It’s been studied for more than a decade. New York State released a video explaining how mRNA vaccines work to safely protect individuals from COVID-19. Three key things to know: They do not affect your own genetic material or DNA in any way; they do not contain the actual COVID-19 virus; and they cannot give you COVID.
Watch the video provided by NYS DOH on how mRNA vaccines work.
These vaccines have been shown to be about 95% effective at preventing COVID-19 illness after the second dose. There are no preservatives in these vaccines. Some side effects have been reported, but these are a normal part of the body’s reaction to the vaccine and developing antibodies to protect against COVID-19 illness. There is a remote chance of severe allergic reaction that, if it occurs, would most likely occur within 30 minutes of getting the vaccine. Therefore, we will monitor you for 15 to 30 minutes after immunization.
The CDC’s v-safe smart-phone monitoring program will also be available to vaccine recipients to report adverse reactions and for electronic health check-ins after the vaccination. If you choose to get the vaccine, you will get a vaccination card to show you when to return for your second dose of the vaccine. CCP reports your vaccination information to our state/local immunization information system to make sure you get the same vaccine when you return for the second dose from the same vaccine provider.
You can use the below links to read about the authorized vaccines.
MODERNA COVID-19 VACCINE
PFIZER-BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE
JANSSEN COVID-19 VACCINE (Johnson & Johnson)
Other information: