ALBANY COUNTY — The county is continuing its push — now that mass clinics are not instantly filling — to get skeptical residents vaccinated against COVID-19, with an emphasis on youth.

Nationally, 22 percent of reported COVID cases are in the pediatric group, said Albany County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen. “So we really want to make sure we can focus on this group,” she said.

Whalen said on Friday that she has received word from the state’s health department on the “likelihood that in the next week the FDA will give the OK for the 12-to-15 age group.”

Her department is preparing for that, communicating with local schools and pediatricians, urging the doctors to become certified vaccinators through the state’s Department of Health.

It’s unlikely that all of the pediatricians in the county will become certified, she said, so her department is asking them to consider assisting at the county’s point of dispensing or POD.

The county’s health department is planning for a POD at the Times Union Center in Albany next Thursday to vaccinate 12- to 15-year olds.

At all of our PODs, we have pediatricians and family practitioners who are there along with our nurses along with public health educators …. People can walk in,” said Whalen.

Anyone under 18 must have a parent with them or parental permission to be vaccinated.

Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy said at Friday’s press briefing that he is pleased young people were “stepping up to get the vaccine. It doesn’t affect them as much as older adults or people with underlying health conditions,” he said of the disease.

“That age group was the most alarming to me,” he said, recalling how for months he had pointed to county data, showing that residents in their twenties were the most likely to be infected.

According to the county’s COVID-19 dashboard, as of Friday evening, 5,542 Albany County residents in their twenties — the largest group — have been infected with COVID-19 while about 2,500 residents between the ages of 10 and 19 have been infected, the fourth largest group. The second-largest group is made up of residents in their thirties, at 3,688, while those in their fifties, at 3,374, make up the third largest group.

According to the state’s vaccine tracker, as of Friday evening, 55.6 percent of Albany County’s 307,117 residents have gotten a first shot. If residents younger than 18 — those currently not eligible for shots — are subtracted, then 66.9 percent have received a first shot. Statewide, 47.7 percent of New Yorkers have gotten at least a first shot while 37.5 percent have completed a series.

McCoy also said he is hopeful the Pfizer vaccine will be given emergency authorization by the Food and Drug Administration next week for use by 12- to 15-year-olds.

He urged parents, “Please, please educate yourselves. Look at the facts. Look at the studies. Help us get our schools back to normal.”

If enough children are vaccinated, he said, day camps could run this summer at 100-percent capacity.

“Teenagers like to be out and about a lot,” said Whalen. “They like to play sports. They like to be with their friends. This is a way to move them forward into normalcy.

She also noted that prom and graduation season is approaching and that state guidance requires testing in advance for gathering.

“It’s easier to get the vaccine so you won’t have to get tests for multiple functions,” said Whalen, concluding, “We wait for the spring and summer and, when it comes, we want to be able to enjoy it.”

Visitors at last

At the other end of the age spectrum, McCoy noted that Shaker Place, the county’s nursing home, is finally, after more than a year, able to admit visitors.

The reunion with family and friends, he said, is “unbelievable for the residents that had such a tough year.”

He noted that no Shaker Place resident had tested positive for COVID-19 since last summer and that the last positive test for a Shaker Place worker was four weeks ago.

“It’s very emotional,” McCoy said of seeing residents, who had been limited to visits through windows, embracing visitors as they reunite.

Nursing home residents — both nationally and in New York State — were the first to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

More outreach

The county is continuing its vaccination outreach in several areas. A third public-service announcement airs for three weeks, starting tomorrow.

Whalen said she is heartened by the people walking into her department for vaccination. The program will continue daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 175 Green Street in Albany, she said. Anyone 16 or older can walk in.

Also, the county is providing transportation to any resident 60 or older, along with a caregiver. Anyone wishing this service may call 518-447-7198 to schedule transportation.

Department staff is willing and able to answer questions, Whalen said, so residents who are not sure about vaccination can come to the department during those times to speak to a public-health educator.

Whalen said it is important for people to educate themselves on the facts. 

“The facts are what we know from the studies that have been done and the evidence that has come out — and everything so far is very reassuring in terms of the safety and the efficacy of Pfizer and the Moderna vaccine,” said Whalen. “We know the J & J has been brought back into circulation. We are not currently offering J & J at the health department.”

The one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine was briefly paused in mid-April after a handful of women who had been vaccinated developed a rare clotting disorder.

Whalen said her department will probably receive doses of Johnson & Johnson in the “next couple of weeks.”

Whalen also said that local leaders and community-based organizations are important in getting residents to be vaccinated.

Individuals can make a difference, too, she said.

“Share the reasons you became vaccinated with your family and friends,” Whalen urged. “We really need multiple efforts for education.”

Whalen concluded, “there are so many good reasons to be vaccinated — protect you and your family.”

Newest numbers

McCoy on Friday morning announced 23 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the county’s tally to 23,973.

Of the new cases, 17 did not have clear sources of infection identified, four had close contact with someone infected with the disease, and two were health-care workers or residents of congregate living settings.

The five-day average for new daily positives increased to 19.2 from 18.6. There remain 209 active cases in the county, unchanged from Thursday.

The number of Albany County residents under quarantine decreased to 522 from 541. So far, 77,864 residents have completed quarantine. Of those, 23,764 had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 23 recoveries since Thursday.

There were two new hospitalizations overnight, and there are now 26 county residents hospitalized from the virus — a net decrease of one. There are currently 10 patients in intensive-care units, up one from Thursday.

The county’s COVID-19 death toll remains at 376.

Albany County’s infection rate, as of Thursday, as a seven-day rolling average, is 1.2 percent, according to the state’s dashboard. Statewide, also as of Thursday, as a seven-day rolling average, the infection rate is 1.5 percent.