This Vaccine Partnership with Partners Health Plus Exclusively for the I/DD Community During Historic Pandemic Persons with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other intellectual/development disabilities receive vaccines highlighting importance of Care Management.

 

Long Island NY – Today, Care Design NY held a pop-up vaccine clinic exclusively for people in the I/DD community in an effort to remove barriers to vaccine access for individuals with I/DD during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Long Island pop up was one of many events Care Design NY is holding in an effort to serve the I/DD community as New York works to vaccinate its most vulnerable populations. The Pop-up clinics were held in Bohemia, Brockville, Plainville and Westhampton Beach and provided vaccinations to 500 individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their caregivers. The pop-up comes on the heels of threatening budget cuts to CCOs statewide that would leave programs like Care Design NY without the funding to continue. 

 

“Our focus is on the community. As some of New York’s most vulnerable continue to become sick from COVID-19, Care Design NY’s mission is to care for and vaccinate as many in the I/DD community as possible. This is just one way we are working with our community partners to ensure that people with disabilities don’t get left behind by hosting specialized clinics like this one today on Long Island,” said James Moran, CEO, Care Design NY. 

 

“We are excited to collaborate with AHRC Nassau and local community partners to vaccinate over 500 individuals with disabilities and their caretakers on Long Island today. This is a wonderful opportunity to help people with disabilities return to the daily routines they so critically need,” said Diane Marrone, Chief of Care Coordination, Partners Health Plan. 

 

“Access to the COVID-19 vaccine is the key to overcoming this devastating pandemic. It is vital that those in the intellectual and/or developmental disability community be prioritized, and I thank Care Design New York in partnership with AHRC for their crucial efforts in protecting our most vulnerable neighbors. Together, we will beat this virus and restore our sense of normalcy,” said State Senator Phil Boyle.

 

“We are so grateful to Care Design NY for sponsoring a pop-up vaccination clinic for people with disabilities in Senate District 4. I have been strongly advocating for people with disabilities to be prioritized in receiving a vaccination, which is why I applaud the much-needed work of this important community-based organization in joining that effort,” said State Senator Jim Gaughran. 

 

Photos from the event can be viewed below.