COVID19 2021-02-17 Vaccine Update: Additional Information About the Upcoming Pop-Up Clinic

As announced yesterday, a New York State pop-up COVID- 19 vaccination clinic will be held at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School in downtown Ithaca. This week, 300 doses will be administered at this location, in addition to 1000 doses administered at the Cayuga Health mall site.

Due to the limited number of doses designated for this pop-up clinic, the Health Department is working directly with Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) leadership to register eligible individuals for the clinic. The online registration link will not be public. GIAC will distribute the registration link and assist with registration for the population they serve, including their older adult program. Eligible individuals must have an appointment to attend the clinic.

Governor Andrew Cuomo authorized these pop-up sites as a component of the New York State vaccination efforts to distribute the vaccine fairly and equitably. The locations are chosen based on their existing relationships with communities of color and traditionally marginalized populations that have been disproportionately affected by COVID and have limited access to the vaccine otherwise.

“As a trusted voice in the community, the Health Department is working directly with GIAC leadership to register individuals for this pop-up clinic. The small number of vaccines allotted for this clinic does not allow public registration, but we hope to host more pop-up clinics and plan to use this model once we have more supply. We recognize the importance of bringing the vaccine to different parts of our county to reach those who have barriers to accessing the vaccine. At this time, the large-scale mall site is still the most effective way to administer the vaccine we are currently receiving from the State,” stated Frank Kruppa, Tompkins County Public Health Director.

For local updates and information, check the TCHD website.