New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says of the expected 170,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine expected to be allocated to the state by the Food and Drug Administration next week, a total of 4,500 doses are destined for the Southern Tier Region.

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Broome County Executive Jason Garnar says the county doesn't know how many of those doses for the region will actually be coming specifically to the Binghamton area but preparations have been underway for weeks for inoculating the people the state says are first in line for the shots.

Tioga County Legislative Chair, Martha Saubrey says that county is also focusing on state and federal guidelines for distributing the vaccine in the coming days to  the designated priority groups.

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Cuomo says 'high-risk' health care workers, nursing home residents and staff are prioritized to receive the first Pfizer vaccinations due to arrive next week.

The federal nursing home vaccination program is slated to begin on December 21.

The governor says following vaccination of the 'high risk' health care workers, "the priority will shift to all long-term and congregate care residents and staff, EMS and other health care workers. Essential workers and the general population will follow those groups." Within the groups, those at the highest risk for contracting COVID-19 will be prioritized.

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