ECDOH to end COVID-19 testing, vaccine clinics at Jesse Nash Health Center

COVID-19 vaccine will continue to be available for children ages 6 months-5 years by appointment, and for patients during sexual health center and family planning center visits

Submitted by the Erie County Department of Health

The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) will end its COVID-19 testing services and vaccine clinics at the Jesse Nash Health Center (608 William St., Buffalo) at the end of January. COVID-19 vaccine services for children will shift to the ECDOH Immunization Clinic, also at 608 William St., by appointment. Since most pharmacies will not vaccinate children under 3 years old, ECDOH will continue to offer the new pediatric (6 months to 5 years) bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine, and all other Pfizer and Moderna formulations available, through its immunization clinic. Call 716-858-7687 to schedule an appointment.

COVID-19 testing at the Jesse Nash Health Center will also end on Jan. 27. Free at-home COVID-19 tests are available through many municipal offices (see www.erie.gov/ppe for locations), and at the Jesse Nash Health Center and Rath Building in Buffalo. Community organizations can also make requests for at-home tests through www.erie.gov/ppe.

This decision was made based on very low numbers of Erie County residents seeking COVID-19 testing or vaccine from this location.

“The demand for our COVID-19 services has decreased substantially,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “At-home COVID-19 tests are widely available. Most pharmacies and many medical offices offer COVID-19 vaccine routinely as part of their regular medical care. ECDOH has incorporated COVID-19 vaccine into our clinical services at 608 William St., and will continue to offer this vaccine during patient visits.”

Burstein continued, “If circumstances change and we see a strong need and demand for COVID-19 testing or vaccine, we are prepared to bring those services back in some form.”

Vaccines.gov has a searchable map of COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine locations. ECDOH will continue to provide free COVID-19 vaccine at its “Curbside Care” activities and scheduled vaccine events with community groups. Sexual health center and family planning center patients can request COVID-19 vaccine during medical visits.

ECDOH will also end its “Vax Visit” program as of Jan. 27. This program, which started in May 2021, has provided residents with COVID-19 vaccine and mpox vaccine for free at home. Mpox vaccine will continue to be available for free through the ECDOH sexual health center.