Launched in January 2021, the Finger Lakes COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force is working to ensure equity, transparency and efficiency in COVID-19 immunization efforts, with a goal of vaccinating at least 70% of adult residents in Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates counties.

The task force is helping to answer questions and serve as a point of contact for residents across our region as it continues through the early stages of the COVID-19 vaccination process.

The advisory group includes representatives from Rochester Regional Health and the University of Rochester Medical Center, safety net practices, city and county governments, non-profits, residents, business, labor, education and more. The task force will advise the Finger Lakes Regional Hub, the state-designated organization for coordinating the supply, distribution and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines across the region.

It will also oversee strategies and tactics for guaranteeing that every adult in our region has the information and access they need to make an informed choice about vaccination.

Established by Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Monroe County Public Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza, the task force is co-chaired by Dr. Nancy “Nana” Bennett, lead of the Finger Lakes COVID-19 Hub at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and Wade Norwood, CEO of Common Ground Health.

RESOURCES

Task Force Vaccine Social Media Assets:  An image gallery designed for easy sharing on Facebook and Twitter.

Task Force Vaccine Infographic: Infographics in .pdf format are available for general audiences in English and Spanish, for Blacks and Latinos in English and Spanish, and in Urdu, Farsi, Somali  and Arabic and for parents of kids ages 5 - 11 are available here. An infographic about booster shots is available here in English and Spanish. Additional versions are being developed. Infographics are also available as images here.

Vaccine Fact sheets: A fact sheet answering common questions on the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine, vaccination of children 12+, and fertility concerns. 

New York State Vaccine Equity Taskforce:   A one-page list of messaging resources and assets

COVID-19 Vaccine Speakers Bureau:   Provides vetted information about the vaccines and COVID-19. Speakers are available for audiences throughout the Finger Lakes region, at no cost.

COVID-19 Table Talk discussion guide: Provides information and guidance for people who would like to lead informal discussions with friends and family about the COVID vaccines.

Task Force Vaccine Work Group Rosters: