Oneida County Adds More COVID-19 Vaccine Booster PODs

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that more Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine booster PODs have been added to accommodate the demand of eligible residents.

County-operated vaccine PODs will be available Thursdays at the drive-thru site at Griffiss International Airport in Rome and Fridays at Mohawk Valley Community College’s Jorgensen Center in Utica.

“We will continue to provide Oneida County-operated vaccine booster PODs for as long as necessary,” Picente said. “Protecting this community from COVID-19 is of the utmost importance, and everyone who is eligible for this booster should get it. Of course, if you have yet to receive an initial vaccination, please do so immediately.”

The county’s PODs scheduled for Sept. 30^th and Oct. 1^st are full at this time. Appointments for next week and beyond are available at oneidacountyny.gov. More PODs may be added as demand dictates.

At this time, individuals must have received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for their initial vaccine series at least six months ago to be eligible. Individuals who received the Moderna or Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine are not currently eligible, but may be in the near future.

Eligible county residents must bring a valid COVID-19 vaccine card or Excelsior Pass with proof of previous Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Those who do not have either forms of vaccination proof should contact the Oneida County Health Department at 315-798-5431 before their appointment.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and New York State Health Department, county residents are eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccine if they received their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine more than six months ago AND fit in at least one of the following categories:

• Should receive booster dose:
  
  • 65 years or older.
  • Resident of a long-term care facility.
  • 50-64 years-old and are at high risk of severe COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions*.

• May receive booster dose:
  
  • 18-49 years-old and at high risk of severe COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions*. (Should be based on an assessment of individual benefits and risks and consultation with medical provider).
  • 18-64 years-old whose job puts them at high risk for COVID-19.

Those receiving boosters also qualify for the county’s Boost OC program which awards a $100 e-gift card that can be redeemed at local businesses and organizations. More information on that program can be found here: https://oneidacountyny.gov/content/oneida-county-launches-boost-oc-vaccination-in....

*For a full list of criteria and medical conditions that qualify for a booster, please visit oneidacountyny.gov or https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/booster-doses.