(Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office)
March 24, 2021 By Allie Griffin
A permanent COVID-19 vaccination site is about to open in Northeast Queens.
The long-awaited site will be located at the Korean Community Services Center, at 203-05 32nd Ave. in Bayside, and will be in operation seven days a week. Eligible New Yorkers will be able to make an appointment at the site beginning Thursday.
Northeast Queens has been void of a single permanent vaccination site since the city’s vaccination effort began.
Local leaders have been calling on the city to add a site to the area since January — noting that the area is home to a large number of seniors.
“We have one of the largest populations of seniors in the City and have been advocating from day one for our own dedicated vaccination site,” Council Member Paul Vallone said in a statement. “This is a tremendous relief and victory for everyone in Northeast Queens and we thank the Mayor for getting this done.”
Assembly Member Edward Braunstein also said he was pleased to learn of the site’s opening.
“Equitable and accessible vaccine distribution is a critical part of New York City’s continued fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” Braunstein said in a statement. “As we work towards New York’s recovery, I urge all Northeast Queens residents to make an appointment and get the vaccine as they become eligible.”
The Korean Community Services Center was the location of a temporary pop-up vaccination site in February, but it will now be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. indefinitely, after securing a contract with the city.
The site will offer more than 150 appointments per day and will be operated by Centers Urgent Care.
“Finding an appointment has only been the first of many challenges our community has been facing in getting vaccinated,” said Linda Lee, President and CEO of Korean Community Services. “We’re very thankful to be able to open our doors again to serve more of our neighbors, especially seniors, who simply do not have the means to get to and from vaccine sites so far away from their homes.”
To make an appointment at the Korean Community Services Center, visit nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or call 877-VAX-4NYC.
