Colleagues,
I wanted to send you all a quick follow-up regarding the expansion of eligibility for vaccinations.
First, one important change that I neglected to specify in my earlier email is that the all-important 1B category has been expanded to reflect what we have been advocating for over a month. What previously limited vaccination eligibility to “in person college faculty” now stipulates “in person college faculty and essential in-person staff.” That phrase is what we’ve been fighting for! This change, as the Chancellor points out, takes effect immediately. Additionally, on March 17, “public facing government and public employees” will be eligible.” That amplifies our entire membership’s eligibility for vaccination.
However, as many of you have written to me, there are two realities we face, one that can be dealt with quickly and one that will be dealt with through aggressive federal action. On the former, we have reached out to SUNY to request that the change be made to the state website to reflect the wording change ASAP. On the latter, the reality is that the supply of vaccines will still be limited. But, with increased production and delivery, we are hopeful that this problem will also be dealt with ASAP.
in the meantime, I urge all of you to keep checking the state website to see when the wording is corrected and then schedule yourself for vaccination immediately. It’s the safest way forward for all of us.
Stay in touch and please stay safe…
In Solidarity,
Fred