Albany County is opening COVID-19 vaccines to the second priority group this week. That includes search and rescue staff as well those who are over 80. It is the last county to open to this group and the only one not opening up to 70 and over yet.
Albany County is only receiving Moderna vaccines because the county doesn't have the ability to store the Pfizer vaccine. The first shipment of Moderna vaccines was received a week later than the Pfizer vaccine.
"There are also five counties that got their first shipment of vaccines 10 days before Albany County did, as well as the counties that didn't get initial vaccine shipment," said Albany County Health Officer Dr. Jean Allais. "So that put us that far behind to begin with."
Allais said there was less vaccine hesitancy in the county. Also, pharmacy chains were supposed to vaccinate long term care facilities, but it was delayed.
"Albany County Public Health did the first dose of vaccine to the staff in long term care facilities," said Allais. "So that took away our vaccinators from other groups that they could have been doing."
Allais is not sure when the county will have vaccines available to those 70 and older.
