COVID-19: A Family Discussion
| On Thursday, November 4th at 7:00pm, the VaxFactsDDNY team at RFK CERC will be hosting a discussion on how to navigate thoughts and feelings that arise for children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. FAQ to follow. Please see below registration links and for flyers in English, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese. English registration: https://tinyurl.com/EngEsp-Nov4 Spanish registration: https://tinyurl.com/EngEsp-Nov4 Korean registration: https://tinyurl.com/Korean-Nov4 Traditional Chinese registration: https://tinyurl.com/TC-Nov4
SEE FLYER IN KOREAN, SPANISH, AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE |
NEW NYS COVID-19 Data Center
COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters
Governor Hochul announced that the Department of Health has authorized a third COVID-19 vaccine dose following the September 24th recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eligible New Yorkers can receive their third dose 6 months after the completion of their two-dose Pfizer vaccine series, effective immediately.
People who are eligible for the booster fall into one of these groups:
Should Receive the Booster:
- Individuals 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.
- Individuals aged 50–64 years with underlying high risk medical conditions* should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.
May Receive the Booster:
- Individuals aged 18–49 years with underlying high risk medical conditions* may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series. Consult your regular health care provider. Note:The New York State Department of Health in a Health Advisory bulletin sent out on 9/26/2021 defined “Intellectual and development disabilities including Down Syndrome” as a high risk medical condition and therefore eligible for the booster.
- Individuals aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.
At this time, individuals must have received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for their initial vaccine series at least six months ago to be eligible. Individuals who received the Moderna or Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine are not currently eligible for a booster dose at this time.
Individuals should contact their healthcare provider if they have questions about whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them. Free booster doses are already widely available statewide at state-run mass vaccination sites, pharmacies, local health departments, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and other locations across New York State.
To schedule an appointment, New York State residents may choose from the following options:
- Visit: Booster Doses: Booster Doses | COVID-19 Vaccine (ny.gov)
- Text their ZIP code to 438829
- Call either 1-833-NYS-4-VAX or 1-800-232-0233.
Members and families are encouraged to contact their Partners Health Plan Care Manager with questions.
New York State Announces
Universal Mask Requirements
On 9.15.21 Governor Hochul announced new masking requirements for congregate programs and facilities licensed, registered, operated, certified, or approved by OMH, OASS, OPWDD, OCFS, and OTDA. This includes but is not limited to certified residential and day programs, inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities, substance abuse programs, juvenile detention programs, juvenile residential facilities, congregate foster care programs, runaway and homeless youth, domestic violence and other shelter programs. These requirements apply to anyone medically able to tolerate wearing a mask, regardless of vaccination status.
Attention PHP Members:
Become a Vaccine Hero!
Check out these videos from two Special Olympic
athletes sharing why they got vaccinated!
Kathleen (Special Olympics athlete)
Lisa (Special Olympics athlete and self-advocate)
Individuals with I/DD Tell Their Story
About the Decision to be Vaccinated
Watch the Powerful Video from NY Alliance
COVID-19 Benefits and Entitlements Resources
HRA/LDSS Benefits & Resources
Updates and FAQ re: EIP, Stimulus Payments and Public Benefits Eligibility
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
FDA Approval of Pfizer Vaccine
8/22/21 – FDA Approval of Pfizer Vaccine
On Monday 8.23.21, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, making it the first COVID-19 vaccine to transition from an emergency authorization status to full FDA approval.
The full approval indicates that Pfizer has shown enough effectiveness and safety data to meet the stringent Biologics License Application (BLA) requirements, which includes at least six months of safety data from a majority of the volunteers in a large, final stage clinical trial.
Hundreds of millions of doses of the vaccine have already been administered in the U.S. since December 2020. Health experts are hopeful that this approval will help increase confidence in the vaccine, as vaccination remains the best tool we have to help protect lives during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Updated In-Home Vaccination Information for NYC Residents
6/24/21 – EXPANDED EILIGBILITY FOR AT-HOME VACCINATION:
Any NYC resident (12+) is eligible to receive a Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Members can sign up at nyc.gov/homebound or in this link: [ NYC] COVID-19 Vaccination – Homebound Residents (cityofnewyork.us). They can also call 1-877-VAX-4NYC to ask for assistance filling out the form.
Note: It is very important that you provide a phone number that you monitor regularly during business hours as they will call that number with appointment information.
In-Home Vaccination Information
The New York State Department of Health’s Office of Insurance Programs in partnership with NYS counties announced in-home COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals who are homebound due to physical limitations, cognitive impairment, other chronic conditions, a lack of transportation, and/or visual impairments, and who do not have access to supports that may help them physically go to an existing vaccination provider. Please consult with your Care Manager if you feel you meet the criteria. Click here for your county’s point-of-contact
5.28.21: In-home vaccinations expanding to New York residents ages 75 years & older & those all ages with disabilities.
Learn more: nyc.gov/vaccineathome or 1-877-829-4692
“Notify NYC alerts” are in العربية, বাঙালি, 中文, Français, Kreyòl Ayisyen, Italiano, 한국어, Polski, Pусский, Español, اردو or ייִדיש
To learn more about changing preferred language: https://on.nyc.gov/change-language
For New York State and New York City COVID-19 vaccine vaccination locations, visit:
PHP Members, click HERE for information on county/regional specific resources!
To set up a COVID-19 Vaccine appointment speak to your Care Manager! Or
Go to the ‘Am I Eligible’ website or call the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829)
COVID-19 Updates from OPWDD
May 19, 2021
OPWDD has released the below updated guidance related to visitation, community outings, in-person day services, staffing and return to work:
COVID-19: Revised Interim Visitation Guidance for Certified Residential Facilities
In addition, DOH and CMS have issued the following guidance:
CMS has also issued guidance related to the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) funding included in the American Rescue Plan:
Find more guidance on COVID-19 at the following link:
https://opwdd.ny.gov/coronavirus-guidance
CLICK HERE FOR OUR CURRENT COVID-19 NEWSLETTER
Newsletter highlights include:
- Who is Eligible?
- How do I make an appointment?
- Tips for Scheduling & Scheduling Resources
- Can My Care Manager assist me?
- How to Prepare for an Appointment
- Informed Consent
- The V-Safe Program
For more information on the State’s Vaccination Program, click here: New York State Vaccination Program
For information from the CDC on COVID-19 vaccine, including potential adverse effects, click here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html
To subscribe to PHP’s newsletters & email alerts, click here: PHP Newsletters
For more information on COVID-19 & Flu Season, click here: Member Health Library
