NY opens mass vaccine site at York College, largest hub in the state

A new mass vaccine site at York College will administer 3,000 vaccines per day. It’s the largest such facility in the state. Photo courtesy of Governor’s Office

By David Brand

The state’s largest vaccine site opened at York College Wednesday, with Gov. Andrew Cuomo on hand to mark the occasion.

Healthcare workers at the site, which is run by the state and federal government, will vaccinate 3,000 people per day, Cuomo said. Another site at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn will also have capacity for 3,000 shots per day.

Cuomo touted his own borough bonafides in describing how Southeast Queens residents will get top priority for shots. 

“Hollis, 11423. That's me, baby,” he said, while listing more than a dozen nearby neighborhoods where residents are eligible for shots at the York College site. 

“Those communities get priority here because those communities were hardest hit, Cuomo continued. “And basic justice requires you give the help first to the community that needs it most.”

State Sen. Leroy Comrie and Assemblymembers Vivian Cook and Khaleel Anderson joined Cuomo at the opening, as hundreds of vaccine recipients prepared to enter the facility. 

Comrie was one of them. He said he wanted to help instill confidence in the safety of the vaccine.

“I qualify, so I'm getting my shot today,” Comrie said. “I'm getting this shot because I want the community to see.”

“There is a desire in this community for the vaccine,” he added. “There's a desire and a need to make sure that vaccination comes straight to the community so they can have easy access to it. So, that's why we're here at York College.”

Vaccinations at York College are reserved for Queens residents. Appointments can be made online or by calling 833-697-4829 .