Stony Brook University Reaches 25,000 Coronavirus Vaccinations

STONY BROOK, NY — Stony Brook University on Thursday administered its 25,000th first-shot coronavirus vaccine at its state-run mass vaccination site, the university announced in a news release. The site opened on Jan. 18.

As the continued demand for COVID-19 vaccinations grows, Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine have aimed to play a critical role in carrying out New York state's vaccination plans by contributing its Research and Development Park as an on-campus point of distribution (POD).

"I am so proud of the milestone Stony Brook University, under Governor [Andrew] Cuomo’s leadership, has reached today in administering its 25,000th COVID-19 vaccine," Maurie McInnis, president of the university, stated. "This comes just one month after we opened the mass vaccination site at the University's R&D Park on January 18. The efficient and effective administration of the vaccine is an example of the excellent work the University and Stony Brook Medicine have been doing to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and bring this pandemic to an end."

The state also turned to Stony Brook University Hospital to help in successfully developing community PODs as pop-up sites in underserved communities on Long Island, to reach communities of color and the elderly, as well as help build trust, recognizing that the vaccine is one of the best ways to protect people from COVID-19.

"Our success in administering vaccines at Stony Brook is a testament to our robust COVID-19 response activities, talent and expertise that are hallmarks of this University and premier academic medical center," said Dr. Margaret McGovern, Stony Brook Medicine vice president for health system clinical programs and strategy. "It exemplifies how quickly and well we can coordinate our resources to best serve our community, on campus and off. We are continuing to administer as many doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as possible based on New York State eligibility requirements, distribution guidelines and vaccine supplies, and we will continue to lead all efforts we can to help ensure the health, safety and well-being of our local communities."

Wolfie, the university mascot, joined public officials to show appreciation to all of the frontline workers manning the mass vaccination site.