ROCHESTER, N.Y. — There's just not enough supply for the demand. That's the update from local leaders on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout right now in the region.
According to health officials, the Rochester region has received 76,000 doses of the vaccine so far. All of those have to be injected by next week. And they say that's still not enough.
County Executive Adam Bello says tens of thousands of people in Monroe County alone are now eligible to receive the vaccine, but there simply isn't enough to go around. Bello says the county cannot control how much supply it is given, but the region's COVID-19 vaccine task force is working on making sure people are ready to receive the shot when more vaccine doses arrive.
Dr. Nancy Bennett from the Finger Lakes Vaccine Hub says if you're eligible to get the shot, the healthcare systems will reach out to you or your employer.
"But don't call them. They really will have to call you because otherwise, it's just chaos. Everyone must have an appointment. No one should ever go to a clinic without an appointment because they just won't be able to serve you," said Dr. Bennett.
Monroe County plans to have several pop-up vaccination clinics for different groups of people. One of those will be at the Monroe County Health Department. Another walk-in clinic will be set up at the Dome Arena in Henrietta.
Genesee County will hold its own COVID-19 briefing Thursday morning over Zoom to explain its vaccination plan.
The New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 1-833-697-4829.
You can also find information at nys.gov or Monroecounty.gov.