Bellerose care center administers first vaccines to developmentally disabled

A resident at the Queens Centers for Progress Bellerose Campus received his first dose of the COVID vaccine Jan. 7. Photo courtesy of Queens Centers for Progress

By Rachel Vick

Staff and residents at a Bellerose center for people with developmental disabilities received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine Jan. 7, a crucial initiative for individuals particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus.

Queens Centers for Progress was among the first organizations in the state to vaccinate individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities when they received the doses at their Bellerose Campus. 

“Far too many people have become sick and many have passed on from COVID-19,” said  Executive Director Terri Ross. “Our QCP family has lost some very dear people. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your family and our community.”

Though 43 appointments were booked, pharmacy partner Total Care Rx was able to administer vaccines to 67 people, QCP said.

QCP and Cerebral Palsy NY advocated for the inclusion of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and staff in residential settings as part of “phase 1a” of the state’s vaccine rollout, said Ed Weiss, QCP’s Director of Adult Services