The Chautauqua County Health Department celebrated its staff and partners on Wednesday at its mass vaccination clinic at SUNY Fredonia.

Commendations were made and balloons released in celebration of county-run vaccinations sites administering 25,111 doses by the end of the day on Friday, April 9

County Public Health Director Christine Schuyler voiced appreciation for public health staff, fellow county agencies, volunteers, Jamestown Community College nursing students, JCC and SUNY Fredonia administration, the town of Chautauqua, and the community at large.

“I am so proud of the work of this health department and what we’ve been able to do throughout this pandemic thanks to teamwork, partnership and a community who cares. We will never be able to appropriately recognize and thank our public health staff for their endless efforts for over a year now. It is so exhilarating to see so many get vaccinated and help put an end to this pandemic,” said Schuyler.

County Executive PJ Wendel handed out COVID-19 HERO pins and stated, “I am honored to be part of this exciting milestone in our vaccination process in Chautauqua County. As this process started, the vaccine was trickling in, and to see how many of our residents have been vaccinated since we began is a testament to our staff and our collaboration with providers such as The Chautauqua Center, UPMC Chautauqua, Brooks TLC, AHN/Westfield Memorial Hospital, our private practices, pharmacies, as well as SUNY Fredonia and JCC. We have shown how working together brings success for our residents.”

The county-run mass vaccination clinics have been successful because of the ability to partner with SUNY JCC, SUNY Fredonia, and the Town of Chautauqua for the use of appropriate facility space. “These facilities are ideal for mass clinics and administration and support staff have been extremely accommodating in fully supporting our vaccination efforts. Out of the 25,111 doses administered by the County, 9,503 were at JCC, 8,766 at SUNY Fredonia, and 4,514 at the Chautauqua Municipal Building,” added Schuyler.

“SUNY Fredonia is proud to partner with the Chautauqua County Department of Health to provide vaccination opportunities for our community,” said SUNY Fredonia President Stephen H. Kolison, Jr., Ph.D. “As I have stated before, public institutions of higher education must be of, and for the communities in which they operate. We are pleased to facilitate vaccinations for our faculty, students, staff, and all residents of Chautauqua County.”

JCC President Daniel DeMarte stated, “The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us all the value of working closely with community partners in accomplishing a common goal. We greatly value our close partnership with the Chautauqua County Health Department, and their work in distributing the COVID-19 vaccine on our campus has only deepened that relationship in ways that none of us could have imagined 13 months ago. It is the perfect example of what we are capable of doing when we work together. JCC is committed to doing its part in supporting our citizens and the county health departments as we continue to fight this pandemic.”

Don Emhardt, Town Supervisor for the Town of Chautauqua added, “It’s good for the community- that’s what we’re here for.”