JAMES MEAD
Managing Editor
The COVID-19 vaccine is coming to SUNY Fredonia — for those who are eligible.
On Tuesday, Feb. 24, Marketing and Communications sent a news release to its campus-community announcing that the university has been approved in connection with the Chautauqua County Department of Health to establish a mass vaccination site.
The site will be hosted in the Ice Arena complex at Steele Hall — not far from where weekly surveillance testing takes place.
Notably, however, while surveillance testing is performed on the campus’ own behalf for students, faculty and staff, the vaccination site will be hosted on behalf of all of Chautauqua County.
This means that vaccinations will be performed according to the prioritization established by the New York State Department of Health — such as first-responders, in-person college faculty and New Yorkers age 16 and up with specific underlying health conditions.
Students will not receive special prioritization based on SUNY Fredonia’s status as a host site, and should continue to wait for a statewide expansion of eligibility requirements.
The site will be under the control of the Chautauqua County Health Department, so while SUNY Fredonia will host it, the county will schedule appointments and administer vaccinations.
“SUNY Fredonia is committed to being good partners with our surrounding community,” said president Dr. Stephen Kolison. “…In these unprecedented times, collaboration is key to moving us beyond this terrible pandemic.”
In the coming weeks, Facilities Services and the Health Center will coordinate with the county to ensure that the site meets all health requirements.
A key responsibility held by the university will be to ensure that the site is made accessible and available to all who need it.
On this front, the school’s Marketing and Communications director, Jeff Woodard, said, “Signage will be posted on campus and ramps will be installed to ensure handicap accessibility.”
When the site is ready to begin distributing the vaccine, the Chautauqua County Department of Health will announce the dates and times of vaccinations.
“As vaccine supply increases, sites like the SUNY Fredonia campus with large, open venues and ample parking will be necessary to accommodate the number of people we anticipate needing to vaccinate,” said Chautauqua County Public Health Director, Christine Schuyler.
“We are grateful for the partnership and support of SUNY Fredonia in accomplishing this monumental task.”Information regarding vaccination clinics is shared, and will continue to be updated, on the Chautauqua County Health Department web page.