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Vaccine for All: Senior Centers Host Mobile Vaccine Vans to Reach Unvaccinated Older Adults

The deployment of mobile COVID-19 vaccine vans to senior centers is part of the City’s ongoing effort to reach the quarter of older New Yorkers who remain unvaccinated.

NEW YORK— The New York City Department for the Aging today announced that select reopened senior centers will host mobile vaccine vans through August as part of the City’s ongoing efforts to reach the estimated 25% of older New Yorkers who remain unvaccinated. Vaccinations at mobile sites are free for all New Yorkers over the age of 12, and do not require an appointment. With the ongoing threat of the Delta variant and uptick of COVID-19 hospitalizations among unvaccinated people, City health officials are urging all unvaccinated New Yorkers, especially older adults who are most vulnerable to severe illness, to get their safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

"Even as the City continues to reopen, the pandemic is still not over. Many barriers to vaccination have already been addressed. Vaccine information, support, and access are widely available to all New Yorkers," said Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez. "It is now up to each of us to do our part to keep ourselves and our loved ones protected and safe. I got vaccinated for my 92-year-old mother. Who will you do it for?"

Through August, mobile vaccine sites will visit different senior centers across the city every week and operate on location for several days (full schedule below). Mobile sites may offer the Pfizer and J&J vaccines. Staff will assist patients with booking their second dose appointment at standing city sites for those who chose the Pfizer vaccine. In the last month, mobile vaccine vans and buses have visited 18 senior centers, helping vaccinate nearly 600 individuals.

"The COVID-19 vaccines are life-saving and the most important tool we have to protect New Yorkers from avoidable suffering," said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. "The mobile vaccine vans for senior centers are another way the City is bringing the vaccine to New Yorkers."

This initiative follows other continuous vaccination outreach efforts for older New Yorkers, which have included over 11,000 free rides to vaccination sites, and over 18,500 vaccine doses administered through the City’s in-home vaccination program.

"Getting vaccinated is the most effective way New Yorkers can protect their health and their loved ones. It's easy, you will not be asked about your immigration status, and you can use your IDNYC to get the vaccine," said Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Raquel Batista. "Mobile COVID-19 vaccine vans have made it possible to bring vaccines directly into hubs in every corner of our city. We applaud this effort to make vaccines even more accessible to and convenient for older New Yorkers."

"We are working diligently and creatively to make sure our most vulnerable populations who want to be vaccinated have access to do so. I’m grateful to see our senior centers open so that older adults can socialize but also receive social services that they may have been missing while at home," said Assembly Member Chantel Jackson.

"Last year, I urged the Department of Aging to turn our accessible and centrally located senior centers into vaccination sites. I applaud the Department of Aging for following through on this matter," said Assembly Member David Weprin. "Stationing mobile vaccine vans at select senior centers will help us reach people who are extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. Getting a vaccine reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated."

"Mobile vaccination sites at senior centers are critical to providing additional vaccine access especially for our aging population. With roughly 64% of Queens residents being vaccinated, and more people moving around the city, we must continue to urge New Yorkers to take advantage of these opportunities," said State Senator Leroy Comrie. "The Delta variant has made it even more necessary to provide every opportunity to keep ourselves, friends and family safe. I commend Mayor de Blasio and city officials for continuing to expand vaccine access around Queens and the city."

"Our seniors contribute to the betterment of our society, and now it is time for us to do what is necessary to protect them," said State Senator Roxanne Persaud. "Bringing Mobile vaccines sites to senior centers is another way to protect our most vulnerable residents against Covid-19 and its newer strain. I applaud the NYC Department for the Aging on this vital initiative."

"I am very grateful to have been vaccinated. I suffered no reaction. The more of us who are vaccinated, the more we protect ourselves and our neighbors. This is an important part of us working together and contributing to the common good of all," said Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York.

"We believe that being vaccinated is essential, not only for the health of the individual, but for the good of all fellow citizens," Msgr. Alfred LoPinto, President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens."The vaccine is safe and readily available to all New Yorkers. It is absolutely crucial that everyone be vaccinated."

"AARP New York is working to ensure New Yorkers get the facts about COVID-19 vaccination to make informed decisions, said Beth Finkel, State Director for AARP New York. We fought to ensure the homebound can receive vaccines in their homes, and we applaud the City for bringing vaccinations to senior centers to ensure residents can more easily get vaccines if they want them."

"We are thrilled to be able to help provide vaccines to not only our members but the surrounding community," said Gianina Boszeta, Hope Gardens Senior Center Director. "The sooner we can have everyone vaccinated, the sooner we can return to normal and keep ourselves and each other safe."

"To keep us all safe I urge all seniors and anyone over the age of 12, who hasn’t been vaccinated, to get vaccinated at the mobile vaccination van that will be stationed right outside of Riverstone Senior Life Services at 99 Fort Washington Ave. It will be really easy and quick. Please join the club—it is very important," said Ilana Dunner, Executive Director at Riverstone Senior Life Services.

"Our Older Adults team has stopped at no end to help get their community members access to the vaccine, so that we can ultimately be together again in person," said Danielle Ellman, CEO at the Samuel Field Neighborhood Senior Center. "We have scheduled appointments, navigated transportation, accompanied members to their appointments and literally held their hands. To be able to welcome members to their senior center, their home away from home, to get vaccinated in a comforting location will have a profound impact on our community."

"Sunnyside Community Services welcomes seniors to get vaccinated, enjoy our in-person programs and together build a safer future for all," said Judy Zangwill, Executive Director at Sunnyside Community Services.

"Don’t miss this opportunity. Come out, the mobile vaccine van is here. We want our elders, the jewels of the community to continue living their best safely," said Sheree Shivers, Executive Director at Rochdale Village Senior Center.

"Spread love not COVID. If you’re unvaccinated, you’re unprotected and at risk for the virus and its variants. Join us in the battle against COVID by saying ‘yes’ to the vaccine. Think of it as life insurance with you, your family and your community the beneficiaries," said Rosemarie Riola, Executive Director at Council Center for Senior Citizens.

"Life matters! Let’s be a role model and get vaccinated today. A simple vaccination can and will save your life and the life of the people you love! Act now and get the COVID-19 vaccination today. The vaccination van is parked outside the of the Morris Older Adult Center. It’s quick, easy, and safe," said Rosalina Luongo, Assistant Department Director for Senior Services at BronxWorks Morris Innovative Senior Center.

"Lenox Hill Neighborhood House is thrilled to partner with New York City’s Department for the Aging, Vaccine Command Center and Health & Hospitals to host a mobile vaccination van. This is a critical support and gives access to older adults in our community," said Rachel Bender, Deputy Chief Program Officer at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House.

"Encore Community Services has been proactive in providing help for all to get vaccinated, offering vaccines at our residences for seniors, essential staff, and essential volunteers," said Jeremy L Kaplan, Executive Director at Encore Community Services. "We are pleased to continue to make available opportunities for vaccinations to those still in need and thanks to DFTA and other city partners, we will next offer a mobile vaccination site in front of our senior center at our ‘Welcome Home Block Party,’ on 49th street on August 10th. We hope those still in need will take advantage of this: vaccines are safe, effective, and free. Let’s all do our part to keep each other safe."

"Vaccination not only helps you; it also helps your family, friends, and neighbors. Because if you don't get COVID, you are not going to pass it onto them. And if fewer people are infected, the less likely a vicious, new variant will emerge. As fellow New Yorkers, we are in this together. Let's all get vaccinated and help our beloved city to get back to the great place that it was," said Peter Cheng Director at CPC Nan Chan Senior Center.

"The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, free, and effective, so get protected and back to living life as we all once enjoyed!" said Barbara Toscano, Executive Director at Peter Cardella Senior Citizen Center, Inc.

"Please help to stop the spread of COVID-19. Protect yourself and others! Get vaccinated today! Together we can beat the virus!" said Jane Ruddy, Executive Director of Cothoa Luncheon Club, Inc.

"As a small business owner who has been running food and beverage businesses for decades, I felt it was essential to get vaccinated as soon as possible. I am grateful that I was able to get vaccinated safely and conveniently when many around the world are still waiting for vaccines to be available to them and living in fear of exposure," said Younghwan Kim, President of Murray Hill Merchants Association. "Refusing to get vaccinated threatens our public health. We all should get vaccinated to protect ourselves, our loving family and customers--let's keep our community safe."

"At 86 years, I have grandchildren and great grandchildren. I want to be able to see all of them on their birthdays and holidays, and to have visits with friends, which is only safe if you have been vaccinated. It's critical to get your vaccination so you can travel, and visit family and friends," said Suki Terada Ports, community advocate at the Japanese American Association of New York.

SCHEDULE FOR MOBILE SITES FOR JULY AND AUGUST

Dates: 7/21-7/23

Hope Gardens Multi-Service Neighborhood Senior Center
8am to 6pm
195 Linden Street, Brooklyn 11221

CCNS Catherine Sheridan Neighborhood Senior Center
8am to 6pm
35-24 83rd Street Queens 11372

Lenox Hill Innovative Senior Center
8am to 6pm
343 East 70th Street Manhattan 10021

Dates: 7/28-7/30

Marine Park Active Adults Neighborhood Senior Center
8am-6pm
3000 Fillmore Avenue, Brooklyn 11234

CPC Project Open Dorr Neighborhood Senior Center
8am-6pm
168 Grand Street, Manhattan 10013

Dates: 8/4-8/6

Encore Neighborhood Senior Center
8am-6pm
239 West 49th Street, Manhattan 10019

Riverstone Senior Life Neighborhood Senior Center
8am-6pm
99 Fort Washington Avenue, Manhattan 10032

CPC Nan Shan Neighborhood Senior Center
8am-6pm
133-14 41st Avenue, Queens 11355

Dates: 8/11-8/13

BronxWorks Innovative Senior Center
8am-6pm
80 East 181st Street, Bronx 10453

Samuel Field Neighborhood Senior Center
8am-6pm
58-20 Little Neck Parkway, Queens 11362

Council Center for Senior Citizens Neighborhood Senior Center
8am-6pm
1001 Quentin Road, Brooklyn 11223

Dates: 8/18-8/20

Anderson Neighborhood Senior Center
8am-6pm
120 Anderson Avenue, Staten Island 10302

Sunnyside Community Neighborhood Senior Center
8am-6pm
43-31 39th Street, Queens 11104

Hamilton-Madison House
8am-6pm
50 Madison Street, Manhattan 10038

Rochdale Neighborhood Senior Center
8am-6pm
169-65 137th Avenue, Queens 10032

Dates: 8/25-8/27

Bethune Neighborhood Senior Center
8am-6pm
1970 Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan 10032

Florence E. Smith Neighborhood Senior Center
8am-6pm
102-19 34th Avenue, Queens 11368

William Hodson Neighborhood Senior Center
8am-6pm
1320 Webster Avenue, Bronx 10456