Staff from our County Department of Health began administering the COVID-19 vaccine on January 5, 2021. Since then, over 37,258 first and second doses have been given at our Vaccine Clinic in Pomona and at several pop-up locations in high-need communities in Rockland.

To run these clinics has taken the support of nearly all Health Department employees who assist with registration, temperature checks, flow control, giving the shots, providing COVID-19 education, watching patients for any adverse reactions, and ensuring a safe and healthy clinic environment.

In addition to the outstanding team in our Health Department staff from other county departments have stepped up to assist us with the process including the Department of Social Services (DSS), Law Department, Sheriff’s Office, and Office for the Aging (OFA) along with the contracted nurses and doctors who have the training and credentials to administer the vaccine.

The County’s Facilities and Information Technology Services (ITS) have also supported our ongoing efforts and have helped make significant improvements to the county’s COVID-19 clinic. We also activated our Emergency Operations Center for the first time since 2017 to assist over 13,000 seniors with securing vaccinations.

All throughout this process we have asked those receiving vaccinations to complete short surveys while in the post-vaccine observation area about their experience at the clinic. Over 1,200 surveys were completed. Everyone who came to our clinics rated their overall experience highly, and nearly everyone would recommend this clinic to their friends, colleagues or family members.

Here is some of the feedback we received from people getting a COVID-19 vaccine in Pomona:

• It was very smooth and professional, but it was obvious that everyone cared deeply about what they were doing.
• Parking lot was packed, and the line was long, but I was amazed at how efficiently I moved through it. Well done and my compliments to everyone involved.
• The experience was extremely organized. I saw many workers walking around cleaning the vaccine observation area. They maintained social distancing and you always had someone directing you where to go.
• It was like something out of a movie. 5 stars. Would do again!
• I have been running COVID vaccination clinics myself, and we implemented the system used by the health department here in Rockland. Fast, efficient, and quality. Great job!!! Thank you!
• Great experience. Grateful to have gotten the vaccine in Rockland County by experienced and professional workers.
• Absolutely wonderful! All the staff were so happy. I had one of the last appointments of their extremely long day, and they were all so kind and patient.

These comments are a source of great pride and truly speak to the caring and careful work being done in Pomona. I personally cannot thank our Department of Health staff enough as well as the numerous other County Departments which have supported these incredible efforts.

This hard work has clearly paid off for our residents who struggled through the early stages of the New York State vaccination process. And despite these obstacles they have helped so many get vaccinated. I urge all of you who are not yet vaccinated to check regularly for open appointments and to get vaccinated like I did.

For more information about scheduling an appointment visit http://rcklnd.us/covid19. If you represent a non-profit agency, municipality or faith-based organization and would like more information on scheduling a presentation or a pop-up vaccination site, please email the Rockland County COVID Call Center at [email protected] or call 845-238-1956 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday (except holidays).

Let’s continue to work together to get shots in arms, so we can get our community back on track!

*This is a weekly column by Rockland County Executive Ed Day.