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COVID-19 City of Albany Resource Guide
- Vaccinations
- City Buildings & Public Transportation
- COVID-19 Testing
- COVID-19 Symptoms & Prevention
- Food Access & Other Community Resources
- Domestic Violence, Mental Health & Family Support Services
- Health Insurance
COVID-19 vaccines are free, safe, and effective at preventing severe illness from COVID-19 and limiting the spread of the virus. Vaccines are widely available through pediatricians, doctors, healthcare providers, pharmacies, local health departments, and federally qualified health centers.
Initial Dose(s): The CDC recommends all individuals who are 5 years or older receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for individuals who are 5 years or older, and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for individuals who are 18 years or older. If you are a homebound senior, person with a disability, lack child-care, or have other accessibility issues that have prevented you from receiving the vaccine, you may call 518-447-7198 to arrange a time for Albany County Department of Health to come to your home to administer your vaccine.
Booster Shot: If you have received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and are 18 years or older, you are eligible to receive your booster shot at least 6 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series. If you have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and are 18 years or older, you are eligible to receive your booster shot at least two months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination.
To make an appointment for your COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot, visit the New York State Department of Health website or call 1-833-697-4829. More information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine is available on the Albany County Department of Health website.
A mask or face covering is no longer mandatory for individuals entering a City building. To protect the health and safety of our residents and employees, visitors are encouraged to continue accessing services online and by phone when possible.
Individuals utilizing public transportation in New York State are required to wear a mask or face covering for the duration of their trip. For more information on public transportation during COVID-19, please visit the CDTA website or call 518-482-8822.
Most recent federal and state guidance regarding COVID-19 precautions and information can be found on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website and the New York State Department of Health website. All individuals are urged to continue following regularly washing hands, covering coughs, avoiding the touching of face, eyes, mouth, nose, and ears, and taking special caution to avoid exposing the elderly and people with underlying health conditions.
COVID-19 testing is widely available at healthcare centers and pharmacies throughout the City in the form of viral tests (rapid and laboratory) which detect current infection and antibody tests which detect previous infection. At-home COVID-19 testing is also an option and can be purchased at a pharmacy or department store. Self-tests are easy to use and produce rapid results. COVID-19 testing is one of the many risk-reduction measures, along with vaccination, masking, and physical distancing that protect you and others by reducing the chances of spreading COVID-19.
To find a testing site near you, visit Albany County Department of Health website or New York State Department of Health website. If you have questions regarding COVID-19 testing you may call New York State's COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065.
What is COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?
COVID-19 is a virus transmitted from person to person through very fine droplets and respiratory particles. Illness causes by COVID-19 can range from mild to severe.
Ways to Prevent COVID-19: 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and New York State Department of Health, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 you should:
- Get vaccinated
- Get tested
- Stay home if you are sick or test positive for COVID-19
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Wash your hands with soap and water regularly for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating
- Clean and disinfest frequently touched objects and surfaces
Click here to view a guide for Home-Proofing for COVID-19 and Other Illnesses
Symptoms of COVID-19
According to the Centers for Disease Control and New York State Department of Health, the symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever or chills
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Experiencing new confusion
- Nausea of vomiting
Please see links to copies of the Stop the Spread of Germs poster in various languages below.
- Arabic CDC Stop the Spread of Germs Poster (PDF)
- Burmese CDC Stop the Spread of Germs Poster (PDF)
- Chinese CDC Stop the Spread of Germs Poster (PDF)
- Dari CDC Stop the Spread of Germs Poster (PDF)
- Farsi CDC Stop the Spread of Germs Poster (PDF)
- French CDC Stop the Spread of Germs Poster (PDF)
- Pashto CDC Stop the Spread of Germs (PDF)
- Portuguese CDC Stop the Spread of Germs Poster (PDF)
- Russian CDC Stop the Spread of Germs (PDF)
- Spanish Stop the Spread of Germs (PDF)
- Swahili CDC Stop the Spread of Germs Poster (PDF)
- Tigrinya CDC Stop the Spread of Germs Poster (PDF)
- Ukrainian Stop the Spread of Germs (PDF)
The South End Children’s Cafe is delivering food to children and families. To arrange food delivery for your child(ren) and/or family, or to donate food for these families, please contact Tracie at 518-275-8890.
Food Pantries:
- Mater Christi - 518-596-6691 - 3 West Erie Street Albany NY 12208 – Open the first Monday of the month from 9-11am, open all other Mondays 5:30-7:30pm
- Trinity Center - 518-364-1103 - Open for delivery* on Monday and Tuesday, open in-person Wednesday through Friday
- Arbor Hill Center - 518-364-2395 - Open for delivery* Monday through Wednesday, open in-person on Thursday and Friday
*Available delivery services: monthly pantry service, produce delivery (Tuesday and Thursday), and toiletry delivery
Contact the Food Access Referral Line at 518-458-1167 x108 to find your nearest food pantry.
Feed Albany provides at-risk and in-need individuals in the Capital Region with access to prepared and packaged meal solutions by utilizing commercial kitchens, unemployed restaurant workers, volunteers, and donated vehicles to distribute prepared meal solutions.
Meals and Assistance for Seniors: The Albany Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NNORC) helps people who 60 years old or older. NNORC staff coordinates services and community resources that help seniors maintain their quality of life and independence, access services, and remain connected to their neighborhoods. The following services are offered: Support, Health & Wellness: healthcare assistance, health and blood pressure screenings, exercise programs, wellness programs, mental health services. Social Enrichment: social outings, cultural events, educational programs. Other Benefits: case management, advocacy, information and referral, home energy savings assessments, home visits, and financial management. To learn more about these services or to get involved, call 518-514-2023 or email nnorc@jfsneny.org.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: Open 24/7/365 - Call 1-800-799-SAFE ...or... Text START to 88788 ...or... Visit thehotline.org to chat online
New York State Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline: Open 24/7/365 - Call 1-800-942-6906
Equinox Domestic Violence Hotline: Open 24/7/365 - Call 518-432-7865
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Open 24/7/365 - Call 1-800-273-TALK
Crisis Text Line: Open 24/7/365 - Text HOME to 741741
Albany County Mental Health Support Line: Open every day 8am-5pm - Call 518-269-6634
Click here to view the New York State Resource Guide for Caregivers
Click here to view the City School District of Albany Resource Guide
New York State of Health, the official health plan marketplace, is a way to quickly compare health plan options and apply for assistance that could lower the cost of health coverage. Individuals and families may also qualify for free or low-cost coverage from Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or the Essential Plan through the Marketplace. Anyone who needs health coverage can apply. For more information on how to obtain health insurance through the health plan marketplace, visit New York State Department of Health website or call 1-855-355-5777 or text START to 1-866-988-0327.