Tom Reed

Across New York state, more than 20% of the population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The numbers across the Southern Tier, however, are much less.

According to the state vaccine tracker, 17.8 percent of Cattaraugus County has at least one shot and Allegany County is at 16%. Though both locations are lagging, these two rank ahead of the county with the fewest percentage of shots being received — the Bronx in New York City with 14.3 percent through Thursday.

Within the past week, local representatives have continued to call for more clinics in the Southern Tier and Western New York. U.S. Rep. Tom Reed echoed that.

“We’re definitely continuing to push,” said the Corning Republican, noting the recent announcement of the purchase by the federal government of 100 million doses.

“Even if we don’t get the vaccines to everybody, which is obviously a reality, we can get the herd immunity of 70% here I hope by June. … But you’re still going to have a significant number of people who don’t have it.”

Chautauqua County numbers are in line with the state average at 20.4% with 26,138 receiving a first dose and 12,544 completing the vaccine series.

Reed and local state reps believe the lag, especially in the rural regions, are due to actions in the state capital. “This is about the lack of attention that politics drive in Albany … and the historic lack of attention in my opinion that our area gets because it doesn’t politically support Albany the same level other areas do,” Reed said. “You just see a lack of respect for the rural areas of New York that people in Albany just do not understand. They just do not understand what it is like to live in our area and they think everything is a subway stop away.”

State Sen. George Borrello on Wednesday said a greater effort must be made to serve those in smaller communities. “People in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties deserve the same consideration when it comes to getting this life-saving vaccine as their neighbors and fellow New Yorkers in Erie County have,” he said. “Only 15 percent of Allegany County residents have received their first dose of COVID vaccine, one of the lowest rates of vaccination in the state.”

The Chautauqua County Health Department on Thursday reported 13 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 7,752 total to date, in addition to 7,503 recoveries and 139 virus-related deaths. There are currently 110 active cases, eight people with the virus in the hospital and 348 in quarantine.