BY JASON COHEN
As NYC began distributing
the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday,
elected offi cials are clamoring
for people to get it, but
also want more vaccination
sites.
Located at the South Bronx
Educational Campus, 701 St
Ann’s Avenue, this is the only
24/7 vaccination site in the
borough.
As the Bronx was once the
epicenter for COVID-19 and
many people are hurting, it
is imperative people take advantage
of this location or one
of the others in the borough,
Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson
said.
“I think at the end of the
day communities of color are
hesitant to get vaccinated,” she
said. “I am encouraging people
to get the vaccination, but
I am also telling people to talk
to their doctor and ask for advice.
Gibson is happy the vaccine
is fi nally here and feels
this will bring positivity and a
glimmer of hope after year full
of sadness and darkness.
“It gives me optimism that
we are going to curb this deadly
pandemic,” the lawmaker said.
“It is a little reassuring that we
have fi nally got a vaccine.”
However, Assemblyman Jeffrey
Dinowitz feels the vaccine
needs to be dispersed more equitably
to Bronx residents. He
cites inadequate testing sites
and a convoluted and duplicative
registration system.
Dinowitz wants one large
vaccination site in every community.
“It is outrageous that so
many otherwise-eligible New
Yorkers are being frozen out
of the vaccine distribution process,”
he said. “We have been
looking forward to a vaccine
against COVID-19 for nine
months. Why does it seem like
we are only just now preparing
the distribution process?
Based on the inquiries my offi
ce has received, it seems clear
that we need a tenfold increase
in vaccination capacity in order
to accommodate everybody
who is eligible under current
guidelines.”
Vaccine sites are: Jacobi,
Lincoln, North Central Bronx,
Gotham Health and Bathgate
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November 1, 2020 – January 31, 2021
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J 8 AN. 15-21, 2021
Contract Postal Station, 4006
3rd Ave.
On Jan. 11 Phase 1B began
and includes the following
groups:
People age 65 and older
Teachers and education
workers
First responders
Public safety workers
Public transit workers
Healthcare workers with
direct patient contact and
staff
Funeral workers
Emergency medical services
(EMS) workers
Dentists and staff
Pharmacists and pharmacy
aids
Public health workers conducting
COVID-19 tests, vaccines,
and handling COVID-19
specimens
Anyone previously covered
in Phase 1A
The list of locations can
be found on the new Vaccine
Finder. Additional sites are
opening every day.
People must schedule an appointment
in advance.
You will need to complete
the NYS COVID-19 Vaccine
Form in order to get vaccinated.
NYS requires the
provider administering the
vaccine to check that you completed
the form.
GetCoveredNYC
311
Text CoveredNYC to 877877
Visit nyc.gov/GetCoveredNYC
Not eligible for insurance?
Gibson encourages
Bronxites to get vaccine
Members of the Fire Department’s EMS unit receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 23, 2020.
Photo courtesy of FDNY
/GetCoveredNYC