Onondaga County is trying to ease some of the frustration for seniors and their families who’ve been trying without success to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. When slots open, they’re almost immediately filled by other eligible patients before seniors even have a chance to sign up.
So, starting Thursday, County Executive Ryan McMahon says those 65 and older can pre-register online for what they’re calling ONList.
"It brings clarity to the process, where at least our seniors know they're on a list and that each week as vaccine comes in, there is a partner that will pull from that list. Nothing precludes them from trying to go through the traditional processes when new appointments become available, either."
McMahon says Kinney Drugs is perhaps the biggest partner, and will draw upon the list as it receives vaccine at any of its 16 locations in the county. He’s hoping the state vaccination site at the fairgrounds will also tap into that list, even though they’re booked well into spring. McMahon knows it’s time full of anxiety and emotion.
"Emotional because people are so happy when the get the shot, the sense of relief that they get their lives back, when they get that second shot, being able to see their grandchildren for the first time. That's a rewarding experience, especially for our health department, which, quite frankly, has been through hell during this pandemic. The problem is the anxiety to get the shot."
McMahon says they also recognize that some seniors might not be able to register online at all.
"We are working with Kinney and Syracuse University on a potential partnership to utilize students to do phone banking registration, or will work with our adult long-term care department, recognizing that some seniors have missed out on the technology for the appointments."
He expects the county, Kinney, and others to begin randomly selecting seniors from the list starting around this time next week. As for this week, there are two vaccination clinics scheduled, and two links will go live around noon Thursday to schedule appointments: A county link will register patients for Friday clinic; and, a Kinney Drugs link for a clinic Sunday at the Oncenter that aims to inoculate about a thousand seniors.
