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More than 40,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in NYS houses of worship

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Mon, Mar 8th 2021 05:05 pm

Over 22,500 first doses and more than 18,000 second doses administered

Governor calls on religious leaders to partner with state and establish additional sites; interested houses of worship should contact NYS here

Builds on state efforts for equitable vaccine distribution

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced more than 40,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered at community-based pop-up sites in houses of worship throughout New York. More than 22,500 first doses and more than 18,000 second doses have been administered. Moreover, 48 pop-up sites have been established in houses of worship.

Partnering with houses of worship builds on New York's efforts to bring the vaccine to underserved communities across the state.

The governor also called on religious leaders to partner with New York to establish more pop-up vaccination sites. Interested houses of worship can contact the state here.

"Houses of worship have been vital partners in New York's effort to bring the COVID-19 vaccine to underserved communities across the state, and community-based pop-up sites are making real progress getting shots in arms," Cuomo said. "We're using a range of methods to ensure equitable vaccine distribution, but this one wouldn't be possible without the partnership and hard work of our partners who administer houses of worship and their willingness to assure communities that the vaccine is safe and will save lives. Together, we'll combat vaccine hesitancy and build a safer, healthier future for all New Yorkers."

New York has continued to increase the number of pop-up sites deployed throughout the state. On March 4, Cuomo announced 12 community-based pop-up vaccination sites coming online at public housing developments, churches, community centers, schools and fire stations. These sites are expected to vaccinate more than 4,000 people throughout the week. Since Jan. 15, 120 community-based pop-up sites administered more than 50,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. As has been the case with previous pop-up sites, these sites will be reestablished in three weeks to administer second doses.

The establishment of many of these vaccination sites was made possible through partnerships with multiple public and private health care providers. Host sites and partner providers conduct outreach within their communities and work with community leaders and organizations to identify eligible New Yorkers and schedule vaccination appointments.

This continued development of community-based pop-up vaccination sites furthers Cuomo's mandate of ensuring the fair and equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. In late 2020, he announced the launch of New York's Vaccine Equity Task Force chaired by Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, Attorney General Letitia James, National Urban League President/CEO Marc Morial, and Healthfirst President/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.

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