Public Health & Nursing

How COVID-19 Vaccines Work

COVID-19 vaccines help our bodies develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without us having to get the illness.

Currently, there are three main types of COVID-19 vaccines that are authorized and recommended or undergoing large-scale (Phase 3) clinical trials in the United States.

Learn more about How the COVID-19 Vaccines work at the CDC's page:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/how-they-work.html

Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) assists households behind on their rent that have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 and are at risk of homelessness or housing instability. In addition, the program can provide temporary rental assistance and assistance with unpaid utility bills.

For more information, visit otda.ny.gov/ERAP or call 844-NY1RENT (844-691-7368)

If you are a LANDLORD OR A RENTER and do not have reliable access to the internet or you need assistance in applying, please call: 518-746-2282 Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Washington County DSS ERAP Flyer

Get a Shot to Make Your Future Incentive

The "Get a Shot to Make Your Future" vaccine incentive is a public outreach campain to increase awareness of the availability and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and provide incentives to New Yorkers 12-17 years of age to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

Parents or legal guardians of any New Yorker, ages 12 to 17, can enter their child who has received at least their first COVID-19 vaccine dose, for a chance to win one of 50, four-year-full-ride scholarships (including, tuition, fees, room-and-board, and expenses) to any New York State public college or university.

The drawings will be conducted weekly, for five (5) weeks, beginning on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Ten weekly winners (for a total of 50 winners) will be announced each Wednesday.

Additional information is available at https://www.governor.ny.gov/programs/vaccination-scholarship-incentive.

Boiling Water and Emergency Disinfection

Information for Consumers

Boiling water is a very effective way to disinfect unsafe water and make it ready to drink, and the public may be directed to boil their water if a condition occurs that could contaminate drinking water with microbiological organisms. Boiling water sounds simple enough, but protecting yourself and your family can be more complicated than it first appears.

Basic Information for All Consumers

FAQ for Residents and Homeowners

Checklist for Residents and Homeowners (PDF, 155KB, 2pg)

Disinfecting Water at Home

2-1-1

2-1-1 is the one number to call to find or give help in Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington counties.

2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember telephone number to call for free and confidential community referral that connects callers with resources providing food, shelter, rent assistance, clothing, child care options and other types of community assistance. Trained referral specialists are multi-lingual and available to help individuals find the help they need.

Whatever the need, the 2-1-1 Call Center has the information and expertise to make the right connections.

Addiction and Support

Addiction doesn’t take time off, and neither does the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to alcohol, substances, or gambling, treatment is available all across New York State.

Smoking/vaping or the use of opioids or methamphetamines have an affect on your lungs. Continued use can make some NYers more vulnerable if exposed to COVID-19.

Call New York State’s Hopeline at 1-877-846-7369. Text: 467369.

The Hopeline is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

All calls are toll-free, anonymous and confidential.

Hopeline staff can answer your questions and help you find treatment in your area. Information and resources are also available on their website: OASAS.ny.gov

Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative

The Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free support services to caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Warren and Washington Counties is continuing to support and provide services to caregivers through alternative methods. Teleconferences, video chats, and telephone support are being offered for support groups, care consultations, and educational workshops.

Caregivers who are looking for support are encouraged to contact their Care Navigator for more information. Click here to visit the initiative’s website for a contact list.

ServNY

ServNY is New York States’ standardized volunteer registration program for disasters, and public health emergencies. Its goal to help local Volunteer Coordinators and the State Volunteer Coordinator manage events and to eliminate issues that arise when mobilizing healthcare and nonhealthcare volunteers during an emergency response.

Licensed health care professionals willing to respond to a disaster—either locally, statewide, or across the nation—are strongly encouraged to register with ServNY.

Registering before the need arises is important, as credentials are verified upon registration and periodically thereafter. This helps to ensure that when a community needs extra hands, those hands are qualified to provide the appropriate care.

To register for ServNY, go to https://apps.health.ny.gov/pub/servny/ Opens a New Window.