Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) and the North Country Chamber of Commerce announced that they are calling on the governor and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) to better prioritize employees of essential manufacturers in the vaccination process.

“While it’s clear that vaccine efforts are continuing to ramp up, the lack of manufacturing employees who have been able to get vaccinated is concerning,” Jones said. “These individuals provide an essential service to our communities, yet many are struggling to get a vaccine as more and more groups are added to the state’s eligibility criteria. It’s absolutely crucial that we put these workers at the front of the line and ensure they can receive this vaccine sooner rather than later.”

While essential manufacturing employees are included in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Phase 1b group and deemed eligible to be vaccinated, the state has already expanded eligibility to other individuals before completing these initial groups. This has made it increasingly difficult for manufacturers to get vaccine appointments. Additionally, since the majority of employees on worksites are not vaccinated yet, many are also having to continually quarantine due to possible exposure, which further hinders their chances of getting vaccinated.

"The vaccination process is clearly expanding successfully statewide and certainly here in the North Country including the highly efficient state clinics in Plattsburgh and Potsdam, the newer county clinics including at Clinton Community College, and a growing network of pharmacy sites. Also welcome and notable is the continuing expansion of vaccine supplies with further vaccines expected soon," says Garry Douglas, Chamber President. “"We have welcomed gradual additions in recent weeks such as restaurant and front line hotel employees, but our manufacturers, most of whom were identified as essential from the beginning and have done a great job operating safely and smartly, are dealing with the continued challenges which a mostly unvaccinated set of employees present on the worksite, including employee quarantines because of possible off-site contacts. They've been patient and understanding that the system needed to ramp up, but we share their belief that the time has come to open eligibility to their workers." 

Employees in the manufacturing industry have played an essential role in the battle against COVID-19, from ensuring New Yorkers receive the medical supplies they need to helping create and maintain jobs. Since the start of this crisis, these individuals have shown up to work each day and put their safety at risk in order to do their job, and we must do everything we can to protect them, Jones noted.