<p>Vaccinations have started across New York and in Monroe County. According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, supply “is extremely limited at this time. Additional New Yorkers will become eligible as the vaccine supply increases.”</p>
<p>Locally, the Monroe County Department of Public Health (MCDOPH) will continue to prioritize essential workers to receive the vaccine and will make additional appointments as more supply becomes available. Please visit the <a href="https://www.monroecounty.gov/health-covid19-vaccine">MCDPH website</a> for the latest information about the phased distribution plan and the NYS Vaccine Tracker dashboard.</p>
<p>Over seven million New Yorkers are now <a href="https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/phased-distribution-vaccine" target="_blank">eligible</a> for the vaccine. Eligible groups include doctors, nurses and health care workers, people age 65 and over, first responders, teachers, public transit workers, grocery store workers and public safety workers. </p>
<p><strong>In-person college instructors are included in Phase 1b* of the NYS vaccine distribution plan and can begin scheduling appointments</strong> with individual providers, including pharmacies, local health departments, and hospitals. <strong>If you are assigned to teach in person this semester, you are responsible for making your own appointment.</strong> You must bring proof of eligibility to a vaccination site, which may include an employee ID card, a letter from an employer or affiliated organization, or a pay stub, depending on the specific priority. (Requirements may vary by site.) Please contact MCC Human Resources Director Kristin Lowe (<a href="mailto:klowe5@monroecc.edu">klowe5@monroecc.edu</a>) for a letter to support your eligibility.</p>
<p><em>* At this time, staff members assigned to work on campus are not included in phase 1b. If this status changes, you will be notified.</em></p>
<p>Additionally, there is a network of state-run sites distributing vaccines statewide — to determine eligibility and schedule appointments at New York State-run vaccination sites only, use the <a href="https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/" target="_blank">Am I Eligible app</a>. Second dose appointments will be booked at the site where you receive your first shot. Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/index.html">vaccines</a> require two doses for effectiveness.</p>
<p>While we strongly encourage you to consider getting a COVID-19 vaccination to protect yourself, your family and our community, <strong>SUNY and </strong><strong>MCC</strong><strong> do not require immunization.</strong> Even after you have received the vaccine, you will be expected to adhere to all aspects of our SUNY-approved <a href="https://www.monroecc.edu/fileadmin/SiteFiles/GeneralContent/coronavirus/documents/MCC_Winter_Spring_2021.pdf">Winter/Spring Semester 2021 Plan</a> and all health and safety protocols, including participating in weekly COVID-19 pooled testing**, wearing a mask, socially distancing, and washing your hands often.</p>
<p><em>**Although a certain level of immunity exists after vaccination, building immunity against COVID-19 takes time and will still require us to socially distance, wear masks and test. More studies need to be conducted to determine the exact duration of immunity. It is too early to know the length of immunity at this time.</em></p>
<p>As we look forward to the safe and successful start of the spring semester on Monday, January 25, thank you for your continued support, understanding and flexibility. Updates will continue to be posted on the <a href="https://www.monroecc.edu/coronavirus/spring-2021-info/">website</a> and in the <em>MCC Daily Tribune</em>. Please send your questions to <a href="mailto:covid19response@monroecc.edu">covid19response@monroecc.edu</a>.</p>
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MCC Daily Tribune
Faculty Who Teach In-person Are Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s authorization of the first COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020 marked a hopeful turning point in our battle against the pandemic.
Vaccinations have started across New York and in Monroe County. According to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, supply “is extremely limited at this time. Additional New Yorkers will become eligible as the vaccine supply increases.”
Locally, the Monroe County Department of Public Health (MCDOPH) will continue to prioritize essential workers to receive the vaccine and will make additional appointments as more supply becomes available. Please visit the MCDPH website for the latest information about the phased distribution plan and the NYS Vaccine Tracker dashboard.
Over seven million New Yorkers are now eligible for the vaccine. Eligible groups include doctors, nurses and health care workers, people age 65 and over, first responders, teachers, public transit workers, grocery store workers and public safety workers.
In-person college instructors are included in Phase 1b* of the NYS vaccine distribution plan and can begin scheduling appointments with individual providers, including pharmacies, local health departments, and hospitals. If you are assigned to teach in person this semester, you are responsible for making your own appointment. You must bring proof of eligibility to a vaccination site, which may include an employee ID card, a letter from an employer or affiliated organization, or a pay stub, depending on the specific priority. (Requirements may vary by site.) Please contact MCC Human Resources Director Kristin Lowe (klowe5@monroecc.edu) for a letter to support your eligibility.
* At this time, staff members assigned to work on campus are not included in phase 1b. If this status changes, you will be notified.
Additionally, there is a network of state-run sites distributing vaccines statewide — to determine eligibility and schedule appointments at New York State-run vaccination sites only, use the Am I Eligible app. Second dose appointments will be booked at the site where you receive your first shot. Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna vaccines require two doses for effectiveness.
While we strongly encourage you to consider getting a COVID-19 vaccination to protect yourself, your family and our community, SUNY and MCC do not require immunization. Even after you have received the vaccine, you will be expected to adhere to all aspects of our SUNY-approved Winter/Spring Semester 2021 Plan and all health and safety protocols, including participating in weekly COVID-19 pooled testing**, wearing a mask, socially distancing, and washing your hands often.
**Although a certain level of immunity exists after vaccination, building immunity against COVID-19 takes time and will still require us to socially distance, wear masks and test. More studies need to be conducted to determine the exact duration of immunity. It is too early to know the length of immunity at this time.
As we look forward to the safe and successful start of the spring semester on Monday, January 25, thank you for your continued support, understanding and flexibility. Updates will continue to be posted on the website and in the MCC Daily Tribune. Please send your questions to covid19response@monroecc.edu.
Katherine Douglas
Office of the President
01/21/2021
