Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal, East 180th Street, 179th Street, Coney Island, Broadway Junction, Hempstead and Ossining Locations Open from May 12 to May 16
MTA to Provide A Free Seven-Day MetroCard or Free LIRR/Metro-North Round Trip Ticket to Individuals who Get Vaccinated at Sites
All Sites Open for Walk-in Vaccinations on a First Come, First Served Basis; MTA Employees Can Get Vaccinated at Sites
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced eight new pop-up vaccination sites at MTA station stops in the New York City, Long Island and Mid-Hudson regions. The sites will serve up to 300 walk-ins per day on a first come, first served basis utilizing the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The MTA will provide incentives to get vaccinated at the sites, including a free seven-day MetroCard or free round trip Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North ticket. The MTA will partner with SOMOS Community Care, Northwell Health and Westchester Medical Center on the sites. MTA employees can get vaccinated at the sites.
"We've made huge progress vaccinating New Yorkers across the state, but vaccination rates are slowing and we have to redouble our efforts to get more shots in arms and reassure people that the vaccine is safe to take," Governor Cuomo said. "New Yorkers may struggle to take time out of their schedules to get the vaccine, so we're bringing it directly to them at these new sites in MTA stations. The more New Yorkers are vaccinated, the safer our state is for everyone, and we'll continue to pursue all avenues to distribute the vaccine and bring more people to safety from this terrible virus."
The sites will be open from Wednesday, May 12 to Sunday, May 16. Individuals planning on being vaccinated are encouraged to allow for additional time in their commute to accommodate the vaccination process.
"Ensuring easy access to free vaccinations is key to reopening New York and building back better. The MTA is proud to do its part to help lead the State's recovery and get the region back on track," said MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick Foye. "By taking the vaccine, you're protecting not only yourself but your fellow New Yorkers at this pivotal moment as more and more COVID restrictions are lifted and customers start to return to mass transit."
"Offering free vaccines at high traffic stations across the transit system is an important step in the right direction when it comes to combatting COVID," said New York City Transit Interim President Sarah Feinberg. "Promoting a safe environment is our single highest priority - one that is safe from both COVID and crime and harassment - and it's especially important as we move into the latest phase of New York's recovery. We look forward to seeing more New Yorkers in the system to take advantage of this important program."
The MTA stations are available below:
Penn Station - 34th Street Corridor
Open: 3 PM - 8 PM
Grand Central Terminal - Vanderbilt Hall
Open: 8 AM - 1 PM
East 180th Street (Bronx)
Open: 8 AM - 1 PM
179th Street (Queens)
Open: 8 AM - 1 PM
Coney Island (Brooklyn)
Open: 8 AM - 1 PM
Broadway Junction (Brooklyn)
Open: 3 PM - 8 PM
Hempstead (LIRR)
Open: 3 PM - 8 PM
Ossining (Metro-North)
Open: 3 PM - 8 PM
Digital messaging will run on over 12,000 screens at MTA stations, onboard train cars, and buses to promote the site locations and hours of operation. Promotional content will be pushed to over 3 million subscribers across MTA social media platforms. Audio announcements will also run in more than 500 stations. Way-finding signage will be produced and posted at station pop-up locations to help ensure proper traffic flow. Information will also be available on the MTA website.
This announcement adds to New York State's ongoing efforts to make the COVID-19 vaccine more accessible. On April 27, Governor Cuomo announced that beginning April 29, all state mass vaccination sites are open for walk-in appointments, a continuation of efforts to make it easier for New Yorkers to get vaccinated. Walk-in appointments are currently reserved for first doses only or single-shot doses of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine, dependent on availability and location. Additionally, all vaccine providers are encouraged to allow walk-in appointments and eliminate other barriers for vaccinations for eligible New Yorkers.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker Dashboard is available to update New Yorkers on the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The New York State Department of Health requires vaccinating facilities to report all COVID-19 vaccine administration data within 24 hours; the vaccine administration data on the dashboard is updated daily to reflect the most up-to-date metrics in the state's vaccination effort.
New Yorkers who suspect fraud in the vaccine distribution process can now call 833-VAX-SCAM (833-829-7226) toll-free or email the state Department of Health at STOPVAXFRAUD@health.ny.gov. Hotline staff will route complaints to the appropriate investigative agencies to ensure New Yorkers are not being taken advantage of as the State works to vaccinate the entire eligible population.
New York State continues to open community-based pop-up vaccination sites in underserved communities across the state. Since January 15, more than 200 community-based pop-up sites have administered more than 77,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.