By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — Cattaraugus County is facing a shortage of public health professionals including primary care physicians, pediatric, general practice, mental health, Ob/Gyn and dentists.
Public Health Director Dr. Kevin D. Watkins outlined the report by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to members of the Cattaraugus County Board of Health Wednesday.
DiNapoli’s report showed “We are deficient in a number of key providers,” Watkins said. “We really need to come up with a plan to recruit more providers.”
As the community ages, “We are going to have a more difficult time finding specialists,” Watkins said. The option of driving a long distance for healthcare providers is not always a good option, he added.
DiNapoli’s report focused on 16 counties where the shortage of healthcare professionals is the most pronounced and shows no signs of improvement. Allegany, Steuben and Wyoming are other area counties on DiNapoli’s list.
In 2022, DiNapoli said, Cattaraugus County had 4.5 primary care physicians for every 10,000 of its roughly 75,000 residents. That compares to 2.8 primary care physicians per 10,000 in Allegany County and 8.1 statewide.
The county’s 25,579 residents receiving Medicaid benefits — 28% of the population — are also underserved, the comptroller’s report states.
When it comes to specialists like pediatricians, Cattaraugus County has 0.4 per 10,000, the same as Allegany County.
For family and general practice physicians, there are 3.5 per 10,000 in both counties. The rate for Ob/Gyns in Cattaraugus County is 0.4 per 10,000, lower than neighboring Allegany County, which has 0.6 per 10,000.
Cattaraugus County has nine nurse practitioners per 10,000, 8.4 physician assistants, 4.7 dentists and seven mental health professionals. All are on the low side compared to statewide averages.
DiNapoli’s report suggests counties consider partnering with medical schools and nursing schools to provide internships that can lead to residency, offer lucrative salary packages to recruit medical professionals and provide relocation packages, spousal job placement support and childcare options.
“Without adequate access to primary and preventive care, the rapidly aging populations in rural communities are likely to experience greater reliance on specialty care and face poorer health outcomes,” DiNapoli’s report stated.
WATKINS REPORTED that the health department will begin its annual influenza and Covid-19 vaccination clinics on Sept. 29 from 1-4 p.m. at the Limestone Community Center.
This year’s flu vaccine is a tri–valent targeting the H1N1, H3N2 and B/Victoria viruses, Dr. Watkins said. It is recommended for children six months and older and adults who are not allergic to the vaccines. Single dose vaccine will not contain any mercury-based preservatives.
Most people will need only one dose, with the best time during September and October. It can be administered any time during the influenza season, which can extend until spring.
Children ages six months through eight-years-old who have not received at least two doses of trivalent or quadrivalent influenza vaccine before July 1, 2025, or whose vaccination history is unknown, should receive
two doses of influenza vaccine during the 2025–26 season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends.
New this year is a self-administered flu vaccine in a mist form for people ages 18-049 that is sprayed into the nostrils, Watkins said. It contains the same ingredients as the vaccine administered via an injection in the arm.
The vaccination clinic schedule follows:
Sept. 29 – 1-4 p.m., Limestone Community Center.
Sept. 30 – 2-6 p.m., Franklinville Fire department.
Oct. 8 – 2-6 p.m., Cattaraugus Area Ambulance Service.
Oct. 9 – 2-6 p.m., Randolph Municipal Building.
Oct. 14 – 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Olean’s John Ash Community Center, 112, N. Barry St.
Oct. 15 – 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Jamestown Community College Center Building’s Student Union.
Oct. 16 – 2-6 p.m., County Health Department Salamanca Clinic, 4039 Route 219.
Oct. 21 – 2-6 p.m., Little Valley American Legion.
Oct. 23 – 2-6 p.m., Ellicottville American Legion.
Oct. 27 – 10 a.m.-2 p.m., South Dayton Free Methodist Church.
