January 18, 2021 – New York State Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D,I-Utica/Rome) sent a letter to Governor Cuomo and New York Department of Health’s Commissioner Howard A. Zucker regarding Oneida County’s lack of COVID-19 vaccines.
“Decreasing vaccine distributions to the Mohawk Valley when we face one of the highest infections rates in the state seems ill-advised,” Buttenschon stated. “Oneida County was the first in the area to offer drive-through distribution of vaccines to those with physical and health limitations and it has proved to be the best way to distribute the vaccine to those that need it the most. At this time, the County has the capacity to distribute 4,000 vaccines weekly, with the ability to expand and open more vaccination POD sites should they receive more vaccines. They’ve proven they can support the State’s mission of safe and efficient vaccination, ‘Because it’s about needles in arms!,’ while aiding the public. I appreciate the state’s efforts to resolve the issues we are facing in the Mohawk Valley regarding the recent AUDelicious confusion. Unfortunately, these issues have yet to be resolved and I am requesting the state’s immediate attention to these matters.”
The full text of Assemblywoman Buttenschon’s letter is below:
January 18, 2021
Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor, State of New York
Executive Chamber, State Capitol
Albany, NY 12248
Howard A. Zucker, MD, JD
Commissioner, NYS Department of Health
Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza
Albany, New York 12237
Dear Governor Cuomo and Commissioner Zucker:
I write you this letter today as we honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I ask you to consider the words of Dr. King’s exceptional speech, “I Have A Dream” and the words of the song, “Take My Hand”, the song Dr. King requested to be played at an event on the day of his assassination. I appreciate your office’s hard work and the ongoing conversations over the past months. In particular, I appreciate the efforts taken over the weekend in an attempt to resolve two major issues we are facing in the Mohawk Valley. Unfortunately, these issues have yet to be resolved and I am requesting your immediate attention to these matters.
First, I have been advised that Oneida County will receive a significant decrease in its vaccine allotment from the New York State Department of Health. Oneida County has been administering in person and drive-through vaccinations in a safe and orderly manner. I have received numerous calls from residents regarding the outstanding distribution process that the county is
conducting. At this time, the County has the capacity to distribute 4,000 vaccines weekly, with the ability to expand and open more vaccination POD sites should they receive more vaccines. The hard-working individuals with Oneida County have proven that they can support the State’s mission of safe and efficient vaccination, “Because it’s about needles in arms!”
I am in complete support of counties continuing to offer vaccine distribution in a safe manner and am requesting the administration release the maximum number of vaccines. The Mohawk Valley is facing one of the highest rates of infection of the virus and this is not the time to decrease distribution. Oneida County was the first in the area to offer drive-through distribution
of vaccines to those with physical and health limitations and it has proven to be the best way to distribute the vaccine to those that need it the most.
Secondly, there was an error in the vaccination registration process and approximately 400 Mohawk Valley residents were registered and sent confirmation for vaccinations to be distributed at the vacant restaurant/bar AUDelicious in Utica. This location was discussed as a site to be opened by the State, but the plans were not confirmed, and the site never opened. Some, but not all of the registrants for the site received an email advising them of this error. Unfortunately, I have heard from residents that haven’t received a cancelation email and are still planning on going to the site with elderly family members despite my advising them that the site is not open. These individuals are exhausted emotionally and mentally and should be contacted by the State with assistance for reregistration.
I look forward to hearing from you on these time sensitive issues so that we can address the needs of the Mohawk Valley in a collaborative and efficient manner.
Respectfully,
Marianne Buttenschon
Member of Assembly
119th District
