May 12th, 2021
Monroe County, the Finger Lakes COVID-19 Vaccine Hub, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes and a other local partners have finalized plans to bring access to the COVID-19 vaccine to homebound individuals in the nine-county Finger Lakes region.
Last week, the partners launched a program to identify, offer and administer vaccine to homebound individuals and their caregivers. Members of the planning group to accomplish this task include Lifespan, Finger Lakes Performing Provider System, Emergency Medical agencies from a number of local health care systems and organizations and input from the Monroe County Medical Society and others who care for the homebound.
“Providing equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine has been our priority since our vaccination efforts began in December. We’ve heard from medical professionals, caregivers and homebound individuals about the importance of bringing the vaccine to this population of residents,” said County Executive Bello. “This program is designed from the perspective of the homebound patients and their caregivers, utilizing the COVID-19 Vaccine hotline to support homebound residents and give them a point of contact to request their COVID-19 vaccine. Partnering with Emergency Medical Service agencies in our community is a win-win, with their unique perspective and relationship to people in the communities they serve.”
Early data suggests there are one-thousand homebound patients in the nine-county region. 40 percent of those have already been vaccinated. The partners have reached out to home health agencies, health care systems and community, to help identify those who are homebound, and may want the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We are getting great responses from the provider community, yet, we want to be sure no one is left behind, so if you know of anybody who is homebound, please call and let us know. We don’t want anyone to be left behind,” added Dr. Nana Bennett, Director of the Finger Lakes COVID-19 Vaccine Hub.
The Monroe County COVID-19 Hotline -- staffed by Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, is creating a referral list for those who do not have a computer or internet, and need telephone assistance to get vaccine to someone who is homebound. Those individuals can call the Monroe County COVID-19 hotline at (585) 753-5555.
“To those in our community who are unable to leave their homes for any reason and you’re reading this for the first time, call the Monroe County Hotline at 753-5555 if you need help scheduling your COVID vaccine. If you’re homebound and you call this number, telecounselors at 211/LIFE LINE will connect you with the team to bring the vaccination to you and get it scheduled as soon as possible. You can reach out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That’s how important getting vaccinated is to our entire community. We’ll continue to say it until every person in our community who wants a vaccine has the vaccine,” said Jennifer Lake, President and CEO of Goodwill of the Finger Lakes.
