» Schenectady County phasing out McClellan Street COVID testing, vaccine site
SCHENECTADY — Schenectady County this week began phasing out its free COVID-19 testing and vaccine site at the Ellis Medicine McClellan Street Health Center due to decreased use, with plans to close the site down altogether next month.
The county has been holding testing and vaccine clinics five days a week at the 600 McClellan St. campus since January 2022, but will condense to a three-day schedule until May 12, when vaccines and testing will no longer be available at the site.
County free vaccine clinics will continue each Friday at the Schenectady Community Ministries campus on Albany Street, but will no longer provide lab testing after May 12, according to a news release.
More than 44,100 vaccine doses have been administered by Schenectady County Public Health Services since December 2020, when vaccinations began at the Karen B. Johnson Library in downtown Schenectady, according to the release.
County-operated vaccine clinics were hosted at a number of locations in the months that followed, including public school buildings, the Schenectady City Mission and several festivals and retail outlets, including Stewart’s Shops locations.
A total of 127,302 Schenectady County residents have completed the primary series of vaccinations, the equivalent of 82% of the county’s population, according to the latest vaccine data from the state.
Michelle Ostrelich, a District 3 representative on the county Legislature who chair’s the Health, Housing & Human Services Committee, said the county’s COVID response was made possible through a series of partnerships.
“Working with local partners, including our schools and faith-based organizations, we have been able to distribute up-to-date information and reach more residents through our targeted community PODs, test sites, and at-home vaccination program,” she said in a statement. “These partnerships, along with the dedication of our public health staff, county employees, and our Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, has allowed us to provide continued support to residents and families over the last three years.”
The county’s schedule for COVID-19 vaccines and testing is:
Ellis Medicine McClellan Street Health Center, 600 McClellan St., Schenectady.
Dates: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays until May 12
Times: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Walk-in service, no appointment required.
Schenectady Community Ministries, 837 Albany St., Schenectady.
Dates: Fridays
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
MPOX vaccines are also available at this POD.
Walk-in service, no appointment required.
At-Home Vaccination Program
Residents who are unable to make it to vaccine PODs can call (518) 386-2824 x1270 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays to sign up or leave a message with their contact information after hours.
Contact reporter Chad Arnold at: [email protected] or by calling 518-395-3120.
Categories: -News-, News, Schenectady, Schenectady County
