Jones Beach State Park will open as the state’s first drive-thru Covid-19 vaccination center on Long Island Thursday, vaccinating eligible New Yorkers who snagged appointments.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced earlier this week the opening of five state-run vaccination sites throughout the state to accommodate the general public after eligible groups expanded to essential workers and those 65 and older.
“New York State is rapidly expanding our networks and capabilities to get as many New Yorkers vaccinated as fast as our supply allows,” Cuomo said in a statement. “The new vaccine sites across the state will expedite our distribution to get our most vulnerable New Yorkers vaccinated efficiently.”
The other four sites are located at Jacob K. Javits Center, Westchester County Center, and New York State Fair Expo Center, which all opened on Tuesday, and SUNY Albany, which opens Friday.
The New York State Department of Health website shows that all appointments at the Jones Beach site have already been booked. State officials say that more locations with more registration slots will open in the coming days.
Vaccine supply is still limited, with New York receiving about 300,000 doses per week from the federal government and about 7 million people eligible to receive it. Anyone registering may not get an appointment for another 14 weeks or more.
“Our greatest hindrance continues to be federal inaction,” Cuomo said. “We have come too far to be held back in our efforts by the inadequate vaccine supply from the federal government. I encourage New Yorkers to be patient throughout this process and urge our federal government to increase the supply to states.”
To check your eligibility and make an appointment, visit am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX.
In addition to the state-run sites, Northwell is administering the vaccine at certain locations in Garden City, Elmont, Hewlett, Lake Success, Syosset, Westbury, Amityville, Brentwood, Central Islip, Huntington, and Riverhead. To make an appointment, visit northwell.edu/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccine.
Nassau County also has sites in Uniondale and Westbury. To make an appointment, visit nassaucountyny.gov/vaccine.
For more coronavirus coverage, visit longislandpress.com/coronavirus
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