Earlier this month, Queens Centers for Progress’s staff and residents were among the first group of people in the state’s intellectual disabilities community to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The first in line to be administered the vaccine were QCP executive director Terri Ross, direct support professional Nicole Marjett and QCP resident Robert Dempsey.

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

QCP partnered with its longtime pharmaceutical provider, Total Care Rx. Dr. Frank Patina, the company’s pharmacy supervisor, called the vaccination “beyond successful.”

“We were booked for 43 immunizations, but were able to vaccinate 77 individuals at the inaugural clinic,” he said.

Additional residents and staff members received the vaccine last week.

Queens Centers for Progress was among the organizations campaigning to make the intellectual disabilities community a priority for the vaccine.

“QCP and Cerebral Palsy NY State advocated strongly for the people we support to be prioritized in the distribution,” said Ed Weiss, the group’s director of adult services.