Governor Cuomo Announces State-Run Mass Vaccination Site to Open in Rockland County

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State will establish an additional state-run mass vaccination site in Rockland County at Rockland Community College's Eugene Levy Fieldhouse to further grow New York's vast distribution network. The site is in development and is expected to open Thursday, April 1 with appointments opening at 8 am Tuesday, March 30. Hours of operation for the Rockland Community College site are 8 am to 7 pm, seven days a week.

"Thanks to increasing vaccine supply from our federal partners, we can utilize more of our state's capacity to distribute doses to continue to get shots into arms on a large scale," Governor Cuomo said. "We know the vaccine is the weapon that will win this war, but it's only effective if we all take it. We are working around the clock to reach as many New Yorkers as possible. The more people we vaccinate, the more we can continue our progress and defeat COVID once and for all."

Beginning March 30 at 8am, eligible New Yorkers will be able to schedule appointments by utilizing New York's 'Am I Eligible' website or by calling the state's COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).

Rockland County Executive Ed Day said, "The opening of Rockland Community College as a mass vaccination site will have an immediate impact on our county as we continue to grapple with one of the highest infection rates in New York State. I appreciate all of our residents and the local elected officials who spoke out in favor of opening this site and I thank the Governor and his staff for listening to our concerns and stepping up to help protect the people of Rockland."

Senator James Skoufis said, "It's welcome news that Rockland County will finally have a permanent, mass vaccination site. Hundreds of constituents, many of whom are seniors - the most vulnerable to this virus - are reaching out to my office every single day pleading for help to get them this life-saving vaccine. This is long overdue and I'm relieved that residents will be able to start receiving the vaccine at Rockland Community College as soon as this week. Local officials and the Rockland County state delegation fought tirelessly for this site to become a reality. I will keep pushing for a fair and equitable distribution of the vaccine for the residents of Rockland County because they deserve nothing less."

Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick said, "I am grateful that Rockland County will finally be home to a state-run mass vaccination center. This long awaited decision will have a tremendous positive impact on ensuring equal access to the COVID vaccine for my constituents in Rockland. I urge all eligible Rocklanders to sign up for a vaccine appointment as soon as possible so we can finally put this pandemic behind us."

Assembly Member Kenneth Zebrowski said, "This vaccine center will help us secure an appointment for folks that have been unable to travel or navigate the system and ensure the vaccine gets to ever corner of the county. Rockland has long been at the epicenter of this pandemic and unfortunately the virus continues to spread. Hopefully this center is the tool we need to start to come out of this health crises and build back our community. Thank you to everyone that worked to get this up and running."

Assembly Member Mike Lawler said, "The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on Rockland County, hurting our families, businesses, and community. Along with my colleagues in the state legislature and local government, we have been advocating for months for the state to establish a mass vaccination site in Rockland County, where we have experienced some of the highest COVID-19 infection and death rates per capita in the state. We are grateful to the administration for partnering with us to address this critical need. The mass vaccination site is an important step towards getting our county back on its feet and ensuring everyone who wants the vaccine will have access to it."

Assembly Member Colin Schmitt said, "It is welcome news that Rockland County will now have a state run COVID-19 mass vaccination site. The National Guard members who run these sites are top notch and do excellent work along with other state and medical partners. I applaud all levels of government who worked together to get this site in Rockland ensuring local access to this vital vaccine for all area residents."

Assembly Member Karl Brabenec said, "I am thrilled at the announcement of a mass vaccination site opening up for our Rockland County residents. Rockland County was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic one year ago and we must make sure that vaccinations are readily available locally to all who want one. I applaud the Governor's office for this decision."

New York already established 23 other state-run mass vaccination sites, but in order to meet the Governor's mandate to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of the vaccine, numerous other sites have been established to ensure those New Yorkers living in underserved communities have direct access to the vaccine. This includes six joint state-FEMA community-based vaccination sites, the Yankee Stadium mass vaccination site, and more than 120 community-based pop-up sites in public housing developments, churches and community centers.

In late 2020, the Governor announced the launch of New York's Vaccine Equity Task Force chaired by Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, Urban League President & CEO Marc Morial, and HealthfirstPresident & CEO Pat Wang. Since its establishment, the Task Force has continued work to ensure vulnerable and underserved communities are not left behind by breaking down the barriers to vaccination and ensuring there is equitable distribution of the vaccine across the state.