Governor Cuomo Announces Three New Pop-Up Vaccination Sites in Collaboration with MTA Following Success of Pilot Program

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced three new pop-up vaccination sites in collaboration with the MTA, expanding the successful program that was launched on May 12 to bring the COVID-19 vaccine to MTA station stops in the New York City, Long Island and Mid-Hudson regions. The new pop-up sites will be located at the following stations: 125th Street in Manhattan, Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue-JFK Airport in Queens, and the LIRR's Hicksville train station. The program's existing pop-up sites administered 5,701 doses from May 12 to May 16.

The sites serve up to 300 walk-ins per day on a first come, first served basis utilizing the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The MTA provides incentives to get vaccinated at the sites, including a free seven-day MetroCard or free round trip Long Island Rail Road ticket. The MTA has partnered with SOMOS Community Care and Northwell Health on the sites. MTA employees can get vaccinated at the sites.

"More New Yorkers are getting vaccinated every single day, but the vaccination rate is slowing and we need to get creative to continue getting shots in arms," Governor Cuomo said. "Incentives like those offered by the MTA are important tools we can use to reach New Yorkers who haven't gotten vaccinated yet, and they've been successfully implemented at eight previously opened locations. We're building on that success to launch three new pop-up vaccination sites at MTA station stops, expanding our reach even further and improving access to the vaccine throughout downstate New York."

Individuals planning on being vaccinated are encouraged to allow for additional time in their commute to accommodate the vaccination process.

"The addition of these new sites is great news for our customers, our employees and for New York," said MTA Chairman and CEO Pat Foye. "These sites will help us get more and more people vaccinated as they come through the MTA system - and continue our efforts to help lead the region's recovery from the pandemic at this crucial moment. We look forward to getting thousands of more shots into arms and thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership."

The three new sites' hours of operation are available below:

125th Street (Manhattan)
Open: 8 AM - 1 PM

Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue-JFK Airport (Queens)
Open: 8 AM - 1 PM

Hicksville (LIRR)
Open: 2 PM - 7 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. 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.

On May 16, Governor Cuomo announced four pop-up vaccination sites at MTA station stops will continue operating through Saturday, May 22 following the success of the pilot program. The stops include:

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

Broadway Junction (Brooklyn)
Open: 3 PM - 8 PM

This collaboration with the MTA 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. 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 [email protected]. 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.