Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Erie County Department of Health is directing a limited weekly allotment of COVID-19 vaccine to area hospitals this week to begin vaccinating people with qualifying medical conditions.
The distribution to address those with comorbidities comes following last week's announcement by New York State that the vaccine would begin to be made available to the population with underlying medical conditions.
As with all expansions of those who are eligible to receive the COVID vaccine, supply is the major issue.
County officials Sunday announced they would be receiving 1,600 doses as a supplemental allocation for individuals with certain underlying health conditions, or comorbidities.
"By providing vaccine to Erie County's hospitals, we are setting up a system where physicians with a deeper knowledge of their patients' medical histories determine who is most at risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19 infection and in critical need of this limited resource," said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. "This population includes people who are most at-risk for more serious COVID-19 complications."
Area hospitals are navigating the new comorbidity policy and will implement the vaccinations as they are able to given available vaccine. In a statement released late Saturday, Kaleida Health said there are many unknowns.
"What we do know, however, is that this will be an extremely limited resource and that demand will quickly exceed supply. So this is expected to be a very long and evolving process."
Hospitals like Buffalo General and Millard Fillmore Suburban will continue to offer available vaccine to eligible health care workers and others and will now expand the availability to patients with qualifying underlying medical conditions to the degree vaccine supply allows for.
Those with qualifying medical conditions will need to provide a doctor's letter, or medical information evidencing comorbidity, or a signed certification.
