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Q&A
DOHMH health clinics and their potential use as vaccination hubs
2:40:00
ยท
123 sec
Council Member Restler inquires about the number of operational DOHMH health clinics and suggests using them as immunization and vaccination hubs. Commissioner Morse discusses current vaccination initiatives and partnerships with pharmacies and healthcare systems.
- Discussion of the number of operational DOHMH health clinics
- Proposal to use clinics as vaccination hubs in response to federal policy shifts
- Overview of existing vaccination programs and their impact
Lincoln Restler
2:40:00
I hear you.
2:40:01
It's you know, I appreciate that you articulate it's a priority that you want to reduce the number of overdose deaths and mental health crises in New York City, but when we cut this resource, it undermines those goals.
2:40:12
So just briefly on a couple other topics before the chairs kick me out, how many DOHMH health clinics, the kind of city owned DOHMH clinics operate in the City Of New York?
Michelle Morse
2:40:24
We have eight clinics currently operating.
Lincoln Restler
2:40:27
And are there a certain number that are closed that are not operating?
Michelle Morse
2:40:30
We do have a couple of clinics that are not yet reopened.
Lincoln Restler
2:40:32
So I just one of the pieces that I thought was missing from your testimony was the you know, you mentioned that the risk in federal funding, but I'm more concerned about the shift in federal policy.
2:40:42
Right?
2:40:43
We have somebody who's in charge of our health and human services department who doesn't believe in vaccines.
2:40:48
Have you considered activating each of our DOHMH health clinics that are conveniently located in neighborhoods across the boroughs to make them immunization and vaccination hubs to expand those resources and services so that we can be that first line of defense?
Michelle Morse
2:41:03
Thank you for the question.
2:41:04
Immunizations and vaccination rates are a top concern for us.
2:41:09
We are concerned about the national and local decreases in childhood vaccination rates, and we have a number of different initiatives that are currently in place and active, to make sure that we get our vaccination rates higher.
2:41:21
We think this is partially a legacy, again, of care seeking behavior during the pandemic, and also partially a legacy of misinformation.
2:41:29
Even though our clinics are essential and critical public health infrastructure and are often the safety net of the safety net, The programs that really get the largest number of vaccines out there are programs that are in partnership with our pharmacies and our other health care delivery systems across the city.
2:41:46
Through that method, we get 2,700,000 childhood vaccines per year out to New York City through our Vaccine for Children program.
2:41:55
So those programs are already in action and we're always open to speaking with counsel about new ideas for expanding impact of a childhood vaccination.
Lincoln Restler
2:42:03
Well, I think it's, you know, we're the ones who can help break through in culturally competent ways to the communities across New York that are not being as responsive as they should be to vaccinations.