Vaccine hub opens at Queens’ Aqueduct Racetrack

A new vaccine hub opened at the Aqueduct Racetrack this week. Photo via Gov. Cuomo/Flickr

By Rachel Vick

As New York state looks to enter the home stretch of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Cuomo is betting on a Queens racetrack to help get vaccines to the people.   

The Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park has transformed into the borough’s latest mass vaccine hub, ten months after it served as one of Queens’ first COVID-19 testing sites.

The new state-run vaccine clinic opened at the Aqueduct Racetrack on Monday. The racetrack at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd. is one of four new locations distributing some of the 250,000 doses delivered to the state each week, said Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

"Our number one priority is getting New Yorkers vaccinated and we have continued to expand our network of sites to accomplish that goal," Cuomo said.  “Our progress is hindered only by the federal government's failure to provide adequate supply of the vaccine."

At the racetrack, betting counters have been turned into vaccine preparation sites. 

Rather than hosting eager anxious bettors, the track’s Racing Hall has begun welcoming patients receiving their potentially life-saving vaccine doses.

To check vaccine eligibility and availability, use the 'Am I Eligible' app or call the New York State Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-697-4829.