Pop-up Vaccine Site To Open In Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, NY — One of New York State's new community-based pop-up vaccination sites is coming online this week in the city at Grace Baptist Church.

All across the state, these sites at churches, community centers, public housing complexes and cultural centers are expected to vaccinate more than 25,000 people throughout the week, with more sites coming online every week.

It's part of the community kit campaign started in January by the state's Vaccine Equity Task Force to serve poor communities where health care is less available.

"I am glad to see that NYS is continuing its vaccine outreach into communities like Mount Vernon," Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard told Patch. "Our partners at Grace Baptist Church and the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center have been with us each step of the way in helping get residents tested and now vaccinated. COVID has exposed the health inequities along racial and economic lines and these pop-up sites help alleviate disparities seen in the vaccination of black and brown residents across New York. Mount Vernon is always willing to build new partnerships to increase access to vaccines for all, especially our most vulnerable residents."

The establishment of many of these vaccination sites was made possible through partnerships with public and private health care providers.

Here's the list of sites in the Hudson Valley:

Grace Baptist Church
52 S. 6th Avenue
Mt. Vernon, NY
Open Thursday, February 4 and Friday, February 5 - By Appointment Only
Provider Partnership: Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center

Nodine Hill Community Center
140 Fillmore Street
Yonkers, NY
Open Thursday, February 4 - Saturday, February 6 - By Appointment Only
Provider Partnership: Sun River Health

Beulah Baptist Church
92 Catharine Street
Poughkeepsie, NY
Open Friday, February 5 - By Appointment Only
Provider Partnership: WMCHealth Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital

MLK Center
110 Bethune Boulevard
Spring Valley, NY
Open Friday, February 5 and Saturday, February 6 - By Appointment Only
Provider Partnership: Sun River Health

Newburgh Armory Unity Center
321 S. William Street
Newburgh, NY
Open Saturday, February 6 - By Appointment Only
Provider Partnership: Montefiore St. Luke's Hospital

Kiley Youth Center
709 Main Street
Peekskill, NY
Open Saturday, February 6 - By Appointment Only
Provider Partnership: New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital

As has been the case with previous pop-up sites, these sites will be re-established in three weeks to administer second doses, state officials said.

As the federal vaccine supply increases, New York plans to continue to create pop-up locations at public housing complexes and the more than 300 churches and cultural centers that have volunteered.

"COVID brought the ugly truth of inequity and inequality in this country to a tipping point," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in announcing the pop-up clinics. "COVID has killed Black and Latino New Yorkers at a higher rate and that is why these community-based sites are one of New York's vaccine priorities. More than 9,000 New Yorkers have been vaccinated through this effort and by making the vaccine accessible and delivered by trusted community partners, we can address the skepticism and bring this life-saving vaccine to those who need it most. The light at the end of the tunnel is bright and getting brighter with each new location and each shot administered."