OLEAN, N.Y. — Residents in the Southern Tier will get a chance to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as the state expands the Johnson & Johnson rollout to places like Batavia and Olean. The site went live Thursday morning and is now full.

What You Need To Know

  • NYS expanding the Johnson & Johnson vaccine clinic to Olean
  • The clinic is expected to serve under-vaccinated residents in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties
  • The clinic opens Friday at noon and runs daily through Tuesday
​​

Setup is underway for a mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Jamestown Community College Olean to help better serve the unvaccinated priority populations cross Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties.

"We're happy to know that in our backyard, we are going to finally have a mass vaccine clinic. We're hoping that most of our residents were able to sign up for the vaccine," said Dr. Kevin Watkins, Cattaraugus County public health director.

Cattaraugus County will play host to a state vaccination clinic inside the College Center at JCC's Olean campus, as local health department crews spent Thursday setting up the site. 

Leaders say the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be helpful to those with transportation issues in rural areas, as Cattaraugus County has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the state, at about 10 percent.

"Well, it's very appealing. It would be a great advantage for those who may to travel long distances to come to Olean in order to get vaccinated," said Dr. Watkins.

"It's also an advantage for most every other population. You know, you've got homebound folks that can't get out to get the vaccine. That people are going to have to go into the home. You only have to do it once, of course that makes more sense. So, those who maybe are homeless," said Christine Schuyler, Chautauqua County public health director.

Schuyler is also facing a low vaccination rate, with 14% getting their first dose and 8 percent getting a second.

She says the low rates reflect the need, as leaders give it out as quickly as they get it.

"The allocation of 3,500 doses of vaccine to our three county area is huge. We're really very, very thankful to receive such an influx of vaccine for our residents. But we certainly would appreciate a more coordinated effort with the state moving forward," said Schuyler.

"It's so important to have multiple options for vaccine appointments. Trying to work together and making this mass vaccination site a success," said Tyler Shaw, Allegany County public health director.

Shaw says the clinic opens the door to more opportunities on top of the additional doses going into arms this week.

He also points to challenging transportation issues as one of the main reasons why he has the lowest vaccination rate in the state, under 10 percent.

"Reliable transportation. A lot of our residents can't make it to Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, let alone SUNY Potsdam for a vaccination appointment," said Shaw.

The clinic opens at noon on Friday, runs through the weekend and wraps up on Tuesday.