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ACT NOW - EMS Needs to Be Tier 1a Vaccinated

12/10/2020

 
Within the last 24 hours, despite national recommendations and previous planning considerations, NYS is NO LONGER including EMS personnel in Tier 1a (First Distribution) availability for COVID Vaccine.  Given our unique work environment – operating in a confined space for extended periods of time with COVID patients – there are no words for my frustration. 

Specifically “Following the vaccination of 'high risk' health care workers, the priority will shift to all long-term and congregate care residents and staff, EMS and other health care workers.”  How EMS is not considered “High Risk” is beyond my comprehension.  https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-updates-new-yorkers-states-vaccination-distribution-plan 

Please consider communicating to elected officials, specifically the Governor and Commissioner of Health, as well as any other elected leaders at the state, County, and even federal level, that EMS must be included alongside our high risk hospital care providers else our already crumbling system will collapse.

Attached is a toolkit from the AAA and a draft letter that you may edit and communicate to elected officials.  Email, call, smoke signal.  Get the word out.

The need is now, this is moving fast, do not wait.  Vaccine will be here in days and I fear we may have already missed the window to advocate for our own lives.  Communicate to elected media, leverage media connections and use social media.  The need is now although I fear too late as this rug was pulled out from under us.

Jeremy
________________________________________________________
Jeremy T. Cushman, MD, MS, EMT-P, FACEP, FAEMS
Associate Professor and Chief, Division of Prehospital Medicine
Departments of Emergency Medicine and Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester
Monroe County, City of Rochester, and Monroe-Livingston Regional EMS Medical Director
aaa_vaccine_prioritization_tool_kit.pdf
File Size: 125 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

draft_model_letter_ems_vaccination_prioritization__1_.docx
File Size: 18 kb
File Type: docx
Download File


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Southern Tier Health Care System, Inc.
​150 North Union Street, Olean, NY 14760

  • Home
    • Our Mission
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Facility
    • CEO Update
    • News
  • Our Programs
    • Emergency Medicine >
      • EMS Agency Update
      • Southern Tier EMT-B Academy
      • Paramedic Program
      • NYS Active Diversions
      • Current Provider Resources >
        • Education & Training
        • Annual Skills
        • Applications & Forms
        • PCR Request
        • Protocols
        • Public Access Defib
      • News & Notices
      • Safe Transport
      • PECC
      • SWREMS, WREMAC & BEMS
    • Safe Kids >
      • Safe Kids Events
    • Cribs for Kids
    • Overdose Prevention >
      • Report Narcan Use
      • Narcan Training
      • NY Matters >
        • Leave Behind Attestation
      • Drug Disposal Resources
    • Caregiver Navigation
    • Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner >
      • Become a SAFE Provider
    • Health Insurance
    • File of Life
    • Blood Drives
    • American Heart Association Training
    • Stop the Bleed
    • BRMC/OGH Entry-Level Position Interest
  • Contact Us
  • Donate