Nurse Gail Lautenschuetz draws a dose of coronavirus vaccine Feb. 25 at the North Country Community College gym in Saranac Lake. (Enterprise photo — Elizabeth Izzo)

Signup for COVID-19 vaccination clinics are often only scheduled online, and since many seniors have challenges accessing or using technology, many have had a hard time getting appointments. A new pilot program is aimed at filling this gap.

It’s the product of new teamwork between Kinney Drugs, the New York Association on Aging and county offices of the aging. Beginning next week, a 10-week, 21-county pilot program will offer local vaccination clinics for people aged 65 and older. Local offices for the aging will provide assistance over the phone for seniors to make appointments for these clinics, including in Essex and Franklin counties.

Interested seniors should contact their local county office for the aging for appointments for upcoming clinics to be held in the following counties: Cayuga, Clinton, Cortland, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Tompkins, Warren and Wayne.

The Essex County Office for the Aging issued a statement Tuesday that it is helping schedule vaccinations for people 65 and older, or for those 60 and older with underlying health conditions deemed vaccine-eligible by the state Department of Health. It urges people who are having a hard time registering for a vaccine, or who have been on a wait list, to call its office at 518-873-3695.

The Franklin County Office for the Aging’s phone numbers are 518-481-1526 and 518-481-1660.

Meanwhile, Franklin County Public Health announced Tuesday that it will have a vaccination clinic Thursday at the county courthouse in Malone for essential workers and those with qualifying health conditions. It is by appointment only and for Franklin County residents only. Proof of county ZIP code is required, and essential workers must show proof of their employment such as a letter from the employer, pay stub or uniform. Proof of a qualifying condition is required by completing an attestation when registering for an appointment. Register at https://on.ny.gov/3q3Krra.