The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have vaccination and testing clinics with appointments available for Genesee and Orleans County residents.

“All approved vaccines are effective and saves lives,” said Paul Pettit, director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “We encourage anyone that is currently eligible to register for an upcoming clinic. Residents in Genesee and Orleans counties are eligible to attend either clinic location when vaccine is available.”

Here are some of the vaccine clinics this week:

• April 6, vaccine clinic (click here for appointment) at GCC in Batavia (17 appointments available as of 8:20 p.m.) – Public Site for 1st Dose Moderna, from 9 a.m. to 6:05 p.m.

• April 12, vaccine clinic (click here for appointment) at Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department (926 appointments available as of 8:20 p.m.) for the Moderna vaccine, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

(There are no appointments available for GCC or Ridgeway clinics for Pfizer vaccines or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as of 8:20 p.m. on April 5. The Health Departments suggest people check back to see if appointments open for those vaccines.)

Starting April 6th the vaccine is now available for people age 16 and older (only Pfizer vaccine if 16- and 17-year-olds with a parent/guardian present with them). Pfizer is a 2-series dose, 21 days apart and is recommended for people aged 16 and older. Moderna is a 2-series dose, 28 days apart and is recommended for people aged 18 and older. Johnson & Johnson is a one-series dose and is recommended for people age 18 and older.

It is important to note that those who register must be able to return for the second dose 21 days for Pfizer or 28 days for Moderna after the first dose at the location where they received the initial vaccination. The second appointment will be made on site after the getting the first dose. If people cannot make the date for the second dose, please do not make an appointment for a 2-dose series until both appointments can be kept.

Visit the vaccination web page at: https://bit.ly/GOHealthVaccine. Choose either the Moderna Clinic, the Johnson & Johnson Clinic or the Pfizer Clinic button for whichever clinic site works best to make a appointment, the Health Departments advised.

When registering, it will also show which vaccine will be at the clinic during that day. When clicking one of the clinic buttons to register, it will show what vaccine is available or, if there is not a clinic or it is full, it will show “No Appointments Available.” Check the links often for added clinics.

In Genesee County, the clinics are held at the Athletic Center at GCC in Batavia and in Orleans County, the clinics are held at the Ridgeway Fire Hall in Medina.

Free Rapid Covid-19 Test Clinics have been moved to the respective health departments. Anyone over 4 years of age (with parent/guardian present) can make an appointment for either county by clicking here.

Testing clinics for this week:

• April 7: Genesee County Health Department
• April 7: Orleans County Health Department
• April 8: Genesee County Health Department
• April 9: Orleans County Health Department

Above information taken from the Orleans Hub 4/5/2021.

The schedule is set for food distributions through late April.

At each distribution about 300 boxes of food will be given away in the “Families Food Box Program” which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The distributions are scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m.

The schedule includes:

March 19 – Community Action Main Street Store, 113 South Main St., Albion
March 26 – Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4-H Fairgrounds on Route 31 in Knowlesville
April 2 – Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4-H Fairgrounds on Route 31 in Knowlesville
April 9 – Medina High School, Mustang Drive, Medina
April 16 – Community Action Main Street Store, 113 South Main St., Albion
April 23 – Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4-H Fairgrounds on Route 31 in Knowlesville
April 30 – Community Action Main Street Store, 113 South Main St., Albion

“We remind people not to block driveways,” said Melissa Blanar, director of the Office for the Aging, which helps organize the events. “We want to thank all the volunteers. Without them there would be no events. Please be patient and kind.”

The Orleans County Youth Board is looking for nominations to receive their Youth Recognition Award, Helen R. Brinsmaid Award, and Eileen Heye Adult Volunteer Recognition Award.  They are hoping to honor youth and adults who have shown outstanding dedication and service to our community. Below are links to an information sheet, and the Nomination sheets for the 3 awards.  Nominations are due to the Youth Bureau by March 26th, 2021.

• Youth Bureau Award Info sheet
• 2021 Youth Nomination Form
• 2021 Helen Brinsmaid Adult Worker Nomination Form
• 2021 Eileen Heye Adult Volunteer Nomination Form

For more information: https://orleanscountyny.com/departments/youth-bureau/