Updated Mar 04, 2021; Posted Mar 04, 2021
Facebook ShareTwitter ShareBy Joseph Ostapiuk | jostapiuk@siadvance.com
Original Article location: https://www.silive.com/coronavirus/2021/03/councilman-borelli-seeks-volunteers-to-help-seniors-register-for-vaccination-appointments.html?fbclid=IwAR06H_SNnKEqOEbTqueL7zQWvHxdR9sDdNqkwPVWERDHJwTVdpD9ChY6fqA
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Councilman Joe Borelli (R-South Shore) launched a “Vaccine Outreach Program” Thursday, aiming to register the borough’s senior citizens for vaccination appointments — a process that has been difficult for some and riddled with issues.
“I am frustrated from hearing horror stories of seniors unable to make appointments at vaccine locations here or elsewhere around the city,” Borelli wrote on Facebook. “We are trying to pair seniors who are unable to or unskilled on the computer with a volunteer who is.”https://ed9786329855dd14301549bbba92b3ad.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
Navigating the various websites that are responsible for managing vaccine appointments has been a struggle for some of the Island’s older residents — a vulnerable population that is most at-risk to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Even after getting appointments, borough residents were previously met with technical and logistical issues that plagued the early weeks of the vaccine rollout. Many of those issues have since been resolved, but getting a coveted appointment slot can still be a tall task.
“If you are retired, a student, working from home, or just have time to take the info of a few seniors off our list and keep trying to book them appointments, we want you,” said Borelli, who shared a Google Doc for both volunteers and people over 65 to fill out.
“If you are or know a senior aged 65+ who is unable to access the online appointment databases, you can fill out this document and click “I want a vaccine,” or call our office at 718-984-5151 and we will register you with a volunteer,” said Borelli.
“No volunteer will ask you for your social security number, your bank info, or credit card number. Ever,” he added.