ALBANY, NY – Some 250 Capital Region residents with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) received COVID-19 vaccines today at a special vaccination clinic held at SEFCU’s Corporate Center.  This I/DD-specialized clinic is made possible by a unique partnership of community-based organizations dedicated to bringing COVID-19 vaccines to populations challenged with access to the vaccine.

Care Design NY, a statewide network of care managers providing support to people with I/DD, in partnership with Mohawk Ambulance Services, New York State Industries for the Disabled, St. Peter’s Hospital, SEFCU, and the Albany Vaccine Equity Collaborative, brought the vaccines directly to Care Design NY members living in Albany, Columbia, Greene, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties.

Care Design NY CEO James Moran said: “We are very pleased with this specialized vaccination clinic that has considered the needs of individuals with I/DD and their families.  The COVID-19 virus has hit our population very hard across NYS. A person with I/DD is more likely to be hospitalized from the virus and are 2.5 times more likely die than the general population due to their underlying health conditions. Therefore, we are grateful that during this unprecedented pandemic this vulnerable population has the support and care of not just Care Design NY but our community partners and government representatives.  We serve 28,000 individuals with disabilities in New York State and our hope that this clinic will be a model for how underserved communities can access public health services.”