Oneida County to suspend COVID vaccinations on Thursday due to reduced vaccine supply

UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County’s state-issued, COVID-19 vaccine allotment will run out by Thursday, so the county plans to suspend operations at its vaccine-distribution sites at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica and Griffiss International Airport in Rome.

The announcement “will not affect second doses for those who have already received the first dose,” Oneida County said in a news release issued Sunday.

“Unfortunately, due to a reduced vaccine allotment from the State of New York, we will be forced to suspend our operations on Thursday, Jan. 21,” Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr., said “We stand ready and willing to work with the state and federal governments to receive more vaccines so we can continue to put shots into the arms of our residents.”

Oneida County says it “continues to increase” vaccine capabilities and currently has the capacity to deliver 500 doses a day. To date, the county has received 4,300 vaccine doses. The upcoming allotment, which is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday, has been reduced to a “mere 500 doses,” the county executive said.

The quantity of vaccines available from the state has “steadily declined” from 3,000 to 1,300, to now, only 500 doses, Oneida County noted.

As of the morning of Jan. 17, Oneida County had administered 2,800 shots and had 1,500 remaining vaccine doses left, not including the scheduled 500 doses it has yet receive.

The county’s health department had 575 appointments scheduled for Sunday and Monday. The county will make appointments available for Tuesday and Wednesday “while its supplies last.”

On Monday afternoon, Oneida County provided another update, saying it was down to 1,020 remaining doses after having vaccinated 350 people in the last day — bringing its  total vaccinated to 3,150.

“We have been pleased with the way our PODs [points of distribution] have operated during the past 10 days,” Picente said. “They are efficient and effective and I believe are an essential resource in vaccinating this community quickly. If and when we receive more shots, we will reopen and get them out the door and in people’s arms as quick as possible.”