Liberty, NY – Public Health Director Nancy McGraw is pleased to announce that, as of August 6, 2021, Sullivan County Public Health Services, community health care partners and area pharmacists have vaccinated 38,608 people against COVID-19 with at least one dose, and 35,050 have had a completed vaccine series. The year-round population is 75,498.
Here’s how the percentages break down, according to the NYS Vaccine Tracker: (https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/covid-19-vaccine-tracker )
- 62.1% of the County’s population age 18 and older has had at least one COVID-19 dose
- 54% of those age 12 and older are fully vaccinated
- 58.5 % of individuals age 12 and older have had at least one dose
- 72.4% of our seniors age 65 and older have been fully vaccinated
- 77.1% of our seniors age 65 and older have received at least one dose
“We continue to do our part to push past this pandemic to encourage people to get vaccinated, which is even more critical as the Delta variant spreads,” McGraw stated. “I encourage everyone who might be hesitant or concerned to contact Public Health, their pharmacist or their own physician to get the facts about these safe and effective vaccines, so that we can ensure the safety and protection of everyone from the potentially serious health impacts of COVID-19 as soon as possible.”
“We’ve crossed the 62% threshold, which is great progress, but we want to get over that 70% threshold,” she added. “The goal is to get all of those who are eligible to be vaccinated and protected against this virus, especially the new, more contagious Delta variant. The science proves that vaccinated people are better protected.”
“I want to thank our staff and our collaborators for the outstanding job they’ve done to reach this point, because it has been a marathon. They’ve put in the hours, the effort and the compassion for their neighbors, friends and family, and I am forever grateful to have them on our team. To date, 57 homebound individuals have been vaccinated, and we are continuing to hold weekly clinics at our office.”
McGraw in particular praised the people and providers in the following zip codes, which lead the County in COVID vaccination:
% w/at least one dose % Fully vaccinated
- 12787 White Sulphur Springs 70.5 65.2
- 12732 Eldred 73.4 71.7
- 12720 Bethel 74.7 73.4
- 12775 Rock Hill 78.2 73.4
- 12749 Kauneonga Lake 82.4 75.8
- 12745 Hortonville 94 85
- 12784 Thompsonville 97.7 93.2
- 12736 Fremont Center 97.8 93.5
- 12786 White Lake >99 93.8
- 12722 Burlingham >99 >99
But the Battle Is Not Yet Won
With COVID-19 cases steadily increasing, Sullivan County Public Health Services and local school districts are urging families to take proper precautions and get vaccinated. For children ages 12-17 returning to school in just five weeks, now is the time to get them vaccinated to have full protective immunity before school starts.
“We have a chance to avoid returning to the rough days of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is going to take a Countywide effort of everyone doing their part. That means that every eligible person should get vaccinated,” said McGraw. “This free and simple effort will help us get one step closer to taking control of this pandemic.”
Public Health Services offers Pfizer doses (ages 12 and older) every Wednesday from 2-6 p.m. at its offices at 50 Community Lane in Liberty. Walk-in or register at www.sullivanny.us/Departments/Publichealth/COVIDvaccines/clinics
Other vaccination locations with current stock can be found at www.vaccines.gov, by texting your zip code to 438829 or by calling 1-800-232-0233.
The following locations currently have vaccine as of Aug. 6: K&K Pharmacy (Liberty), The Medicine Shoppe (Liberty), Walgreens (Liberty, Monticello, Ellenville, Napanoch), Harris Pharmacy, Walmart (Monticello), Garnet Health Doctors (Bethel), Sun River Health (Monticello) and Rock Hill Pharmacy (Rock Hill).
If you have questions about COVID-19, call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065.
“We also strongly encourage everyone – vaccinated or unvaccinated – to wear masks indoors in situations where you cannot be at least six feet away from another person, outdoors when social distance cannot be maintained, or you are in a large group for extended periods of time,” McGraw affirmed. “Please do your part: get vaccinated, and help put an end to this pandemic. The health and safety of your children, you, and your family is of utmost importance.”
