Largest Vaccination Sites In NY To Open In Brooklyn, Queens

NEW YORK, NY — The state's largest vaccination sites to date will soon open in Brooklyn and Queens, bringing 3,000 coronavirus vaccines per day to the city's hardest-hit neighborhoods, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced.

The governor said Wednesday that mass vaccination sites will open the week of Feb. 24 at York College in Queens and Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn through a partnership with President Joe Biden's coronavirus task force, who will provide a special allocation of the vaccine for the facilities.

The vaccine sites are the first of a number of sites the state-federal collaboration will open in its effort to improve access to the vaccine for minority communities that were hardest hit by the virus.

"These sites are different than anything we've ever done before — the federal government is going to provide a special dosage allocation for these sites and they will be staffed jointly," Cuomo said, adding that the staff will include U.S. Army, National Guard and state personnel. "They're going to address a dramatic need in bringing the vaccine to the people who need the vaccine most."

The new sites come as the White House works to increase its allotment of quickly-dwindling vaccines across the country, including in New York.

The new federal sites will have a much larger supply than other major city-run vaccine sites that opened at Citi Field and Yankee Stadium this week. Citi Field will only give out about 200 vaccines per day, according to the city.

The current largest site in New York State, at the Javits Center, gives out about 1,000 per day, Cuomo said.

Cuomo and Biden officials said Wednesday that they are looking into opening more mass vaccine sites in Upstate New York and other parts of the country.

"This is a model for the potential we have to do this across the country," said Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, who runs the Biden's Covid-19 Health Equity Task Force. "We’re keeping equity front and center at these sites."

The sites are aimed at solving one of two obstacles to minority populations getting the vaccine — hesitance to get the shot based on distrust of the government and lack of access given "healthcare deserts." So far, data has shown that vaccine distribution has largely favored white New York City residents.

Recipients for the Brooklyn and Queens sites will be prioritized based on who lives in the county, Cuomo said.

"The large number, the extended hours — these are no doubt the most effective way to get the vaccines out quickly and in the communities and the places that need them," Cuomo said.