Despite the
state's low supply of vaccines, one town in northern Westchester is calling on
New York and the county to set up a point of distribution to serve major parts
of the Hudson Valley.
Yorktown officials
are asking the state to open a vaccine distribution site in town, which they
say can serve not only northern Westchester, but Putnam and Dutchess counties
as well.
If approved, the
Yorktown Community and Cultural Center could become a vaccine hub for northern
Westchester.
Former Ossining police detective and town resident Bill Sullivan approves of the potential
hub, saying in part, “It makes sense. It's convenient and you know, it would
work.”
According to a
letter from Yorktown officials to the county and state, vaccine access is
limited for those who live far away from Westchester's main distribution point
- the County Center in White Plains.
"We're
getting inundated at Town Hall, especially from our seniors,” says Town
Supervisor Matt Slater. “They're so confused about the process, they're
frustrated by the process, but they're also desperate to get the vaccine.”
Officials tell
News 12 they want to make sure vaccine access is equal for people living in the
northern part of the Hudson Valley and make it easier for seniors to get shots
without having to travel.
“We want to make sure that we're
advocating for our community,” says Slater.
The town is also suggesting the
Jefferson Village Senior Community Room because of how close it is to the
northern Hudson Valley counties.
At a nearby
Acme, a handful of people received shots on Thursday. "The process was
organized, it was so professional, and I can't say enough about it,"
according to Sullivan.
Unfortunately, the problem of supply remains. News 12 is told
all 200 available slots at the Acme filled up in 11 minutes.
The state has
1,200 distribution sites, but not enough vaccines to go around for them all.
Officials say
the issue of vaccine shortage can be avoided in the future by creating a
centralized vaccination hub.