NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle City and School District Employees fortunate enough to have received a first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 earlier this month are now being told to report to the Westchester County Medical Center to receive their second dose the first week of February.
The controversial first shots were given at Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital on January 13-14.
The controversy boiled over after Talk of the Sound reported that elected officials including New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson jumped the line from Tier 4 to Tier 1A to get his shot and Interim Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero directed school staff to lie about their eligibility to get shots.
Montefiore New Rochelle was stripped of its role as a vaccine provider after the Medical Director of the City School District of New Rochelle raised concerns on the afternoon of January 14th, early that non-Tier 1A public sector employees and local elected officials were receiving the vaccine.
The state ordered all vaccinations at Montefiore New Rochelle to stop at 5 p.m. on January 14th, although vaccinations continued until 6:30 p.m.
NYSDOH Spokesperson Jonah Bruno issues a statement on January 15th:
“DOH is investigating this egregious violation of the state’s clearly defined guidelines for the COVID-19 vaccine. As we’ve said repeatedly, current eligibility for the vaccine is limited to health care and hospital workers, seniors living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and people with disabilities living in congregate settings. The facility is facing potential sanctions and penalties for these violations and its vaccine supply will be reallocated to the County Health Department.”
The Westchester County Health Department received 330 doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from Montefiore.
Soon after announcing the NYSDOH investigation, Governor Andrew C. Cuomo reversed New York State Policy, saying later in the day on Friday that Tier 1B people (first responders, teachers, transportation workers and those 75 and older) could register to get the vaccine but would not receive the vaccine for weeks once a million Tier 1A people were vaccinated. On Saturday, Cuomo said Tier 1B people could get the vaccine if a hospital had maxed out its own workers — precisely what Montefiore says it was doing on Thursday. On Monday, Cuomo expanded to Tier 2, people 65+.
RELATED:
New Rochelle School & City Workers Begin COVID-19 Vaccinations at Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital
What Went Wrong with Moderna Vaccine Distribution for New Rochelle Teachers, Staff?
NYSDOH Declines to Answer Questions on Montefiore New Rochelle Vax Fiasco
Not related to this story but what are the occupancy rates in all the buildings being built downtown? Are people moving into them? I’m curious because I don’t see the foot traffic you would expect.
The Covid vaccination rollout has been a disgrace! People who are eligible, I being one in the eligibility tier, has yet to receive a first dose!