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The saga of the coronavirus vaccine roll-out continues to take unexpected turns including, most recently, a city-wide shortage that may affect even already-scheduled vaccination appointments. Last week, Scott Karolidis, YAI's new Director of Government Relations, spoke to a panel of NYC Council Members at a hearing on the vaccination process. Karolidis emphasized the number of people with disabilities and frontline staff that Premier HealthCare is vaccinating and the additional responsibility Premier has taken to vaccinate people supported by other I/DD providers. Karolidis made very clear to NYC Council Health Committee Chair Mark Levine and Hospitals Committee Chair Carlina Rivera that Premier needs more funding to get the job done.
"City funding for vaccine providers like Premier HealthCare could help us vaccinate vulnerable New Yorkers in half the time, and make sure we’re doing it safely,” Karolidis said. “This funding cannot wait for a State budget in April or City budget in July –the need is great and the need is now."
Right after Karolidis spoke, Chair Levine agreed that the need for additional vaccine funds was readily apparent. Levine is eager to meet with Karolidis one-to-one to talk about specific ways to help. Despite ongoing setbacks, the Chair is committed to finding extra ways to support our efforts. YAI and Premier are hopeful that Premier will get the resources needed to continue protecting our staff and New Yorkers with I/DD from COVID-19 as soon as possible.