Kew Gardens Added To NYC Coronavirus Vaccine Priority List

KEW GARDENS, QUEENS — Kew Gardens and Woodhaven have been added to the city's list of priority neighborhoods for coronavirus vaccination sites and outreach efforts, officials announced Sunday.

The ZIP codes 11419 and 11421 are now among 33 regions where New York City's Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity will focus its efforts to expand vaccine access and address hesitancy about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the mayor's office.

Residents will get priority for appointments at neighborhood vaccination sites. Eligible essential workers in priority neighborhoods will get to schedule appointments for family members on-site.

"We launched our vaccine effort with a clear commitment to provide a vaccine for all New Yorkers," Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “Now we are going even further to ensure the vaccine reaches everyone, equally, with a focus on the neighborhoods we know have borne the brunt of COVID-19.”

Also new to the priority list are Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park and Queens Village.

City officials said they chose the 33 priority neighborhoods based on high COVID-19 mortality and case rates, high prevalence of chronic illness, presence of overcrowded housing, the number of residents experiencing poverty and other pre-existing health disparities.

Of those, nine are in Queens.